'^;>i':;i^V': 


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; 


OSCAR    R.    GLEASON. 


HOW   TO 


Handle  and  Educate 
Vicious  Horses. 


TOGETHER  WITH 


HINTS  ON  THE  TRAINING  AND  HEALTH 
OF  DOGS, 


BY 

OSCAR   R.   GLEASON. 


NEW  YORK : 

O.    JUDD    CO.,    DAVID    W.    JUDD,    Pres't. 

751    BROADWAY. 

1886. 


fC^O^ 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1S8.6,  by 

OSCAR  R.  GLEASON, 
In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


PUBLISHER'S   PREFACE. 


Though  proverbially  "  the  noblest  of  animals/'  the 
horse  becomes  of  value  to  man  only  as  he  is  subdued, 
trained,  and  educated.  Under  proper  treatment  and 
management  he  becomes  tractable,  intelligent,  ser- 
viceable, and  devoted  to  his  master.  The  author  of 
this  volume  has  established  a  virorld-wide  reputation 
for  training  and  educating  horses.  Long  practice 
and  experience  have  brought  his  methods  to  such  a 
state  of  perfection  as  to  not  only  challenge  the  admi- 
ration, but  to  command  the  regard  and  gratitude,  of 
all  lovers  of  horses.  This  volume  teaches  the  reader 
how  to  put  these  methods  in  practice.  Under  its  di- 
rections every  one,  man  and  woman  alike,  can  acquire 
the  art  of  mastering  horses. 


CONTENTS. 


PART  FIRST. 

PAGE 

Life  Sketch  of  Oscar  R.  Gleason,  Horse  Educator 9 


PART  SECOND. 
The  Education  and  Training  of  the  Horse 71 

PART  THIRD. 
Teaching  Horses  Tricks Ill 

PART  FOURTH. 
Ages  of  Horses 1 19 

PART  FIFTH. 
Practical  Suggestions  on  Scientific  Horseshoeing 123 

PART  SIXTH. 
Diseases  of  Horses 135 

PART  SEVENTH. 
Ladies'  Equestrianism 177 

PART  EIGHTH. 
Training  and  Health  of  Dogs <,  <>  o 183 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


PAGE 

Portrait  of  Gleason,  Oscar  R.,  frontispiece. 

Portrait  of  Gleason,  Charles  R.,  Jr ii 

Goldsmith  Maid 2i 

Rockwell,  A.  H.,  Driving 23 

The  Horse  Resolute 27 

Mambrino  King , 50 

Gleason,  Prof.,  Driving  Rysdyk 68 

Gleason,  Prof. ,  in  the  Ring 70 

Head  of  a  Perfect  Horse 72 

Training  Horse  in  Enclosure 74 

For  a  Halter  Puller 75 

First  Lesson  in  Colt  Driving 77 

Eureka  Bridle 79 

Double  Safety  Rope 80 

Gleason's  Surcingle 80 

Bonaparte  Bridle 82 

Not  Afraid  of  Umbrella 83 

To  Prevent  Jumping  Fences 84 

Remedy  for  Tail-switching 85 

Handling  Hind  Foot 86 

Position  of  Thrown  Horse.  , 87 

For  Driving  a  Puller 90 

Strap  for  Jaw 91 

Giving  a  Horse  Medicine 96 

Gleason's  Simple  Riding  Bridle 97 

Bridles 79.  82,  97 

Jerome  Eddy no 

Teeth  of  Horses 119,  120 

Portrait  of  St.  John,  Geo.  A 122 


PART    FIRST. 


LIFE  SKETCH  OF  OSCAR  R.  GLEASON, 
HORSE  EDUCATOR, 


During  the  past  ten  years  I  have  lectured  on  the 
subject  of  horsemanship  to  not  less  than  1,500,000 
people,  in  this  country  and  Canada,  all  of  whom, 
judging  from  the  attention  given  to  what  I  have  had 
to  say,  are  more  or  less  interested  in  my  origin  and 
history.  In  response  to  the  many  inquiries  made  of 
me  on  this  subject,  I  take  pleasure  in  offering  to  my 
numerous  friends  the  following  sketch,  which  it  is 
hoped  will  also  serve  as  an  introduction  to  those  who 
have  not  yet  seen  me — the  myriads  whom  I  desire  to 
meet  and  to  benefit  by  the  experience  I  have  had, 
and  which  I  hope  to  be  able  to  impart  in  a  manner  at 
once  plain  and  comprehensive. 

MY    PARENTS. 

First — as  a  slight  tribute  of  love,  respect,  and  pride, 
I  desire  to  speak  of  my  departed  New  England 
mother  and  father.  The  maiden  name  of  my  honored 
mother  was  Ellen  F.  Drury,  a  native  of  Salem,  Mass. 
She  was  one  of  those  earnest,  determined,  and  devoted 
women  whose  character  and  life  have  done  so  much 
in  shaping  and   directing  the  minds  of  the  best  class 


lO  HOW   TO    EDUCATE   HORSES. 

of  the  bone  and  sinew  portion  of  the  people  in  New 
England.  Let  me  here  say  that  I  believe  no  class  of 
people  in  our  country  ever  accomplished .  more  by 
hard,  unremitting  labor  than  the  wives  of  our  old 
New  England  farmers.  My  mother's  life  was  no  ex- 
ception to  this  rule.  With  her  large  hazel  eyes,  light 
curly  hair,  and  loving  heart,  she  was  the  joy  of  my 
boyhood's  happy  home  ;  and  her  departure  to  a 
better  land  while  we  were  living  in  Iowa,  in  1871, 
made  a  void  in  a  home  never  to  be  filled.  In  this 
connection  I  may  state  that  my  stepmother,  Marcia 
Pensmore,  of  West  Townsend,  Vt.,  was  all  that  one 
not  an  own  mother  could  be.  Always  to  me  very 
kind,  my  recollections  of  her  are  of  the  most  pleasing 
character. 

My  father,  Chailes  F.  Gleason,  Jr.,  a  native  of  Rhode 
Island,  was  fully  six  feet  in  lieight,  about  two  hundred 
pounds  in  weight,  with  light  complexion,  blue  eyes, 
sandy  beard,  and  very  strong,  his  knees  being  double- 
jointed.  Parties  in  Dana,  Mass.,  have  seen  him  lift  a 
barrel  holding  forty-two  gallons  of  cider  from  the 
ground  and  elevate  it  so  as  to  be  able  to  drink  out  of  the 
bung-hole.  He  also,  once,  in  North  Dana,  won  a  wager 
of  an  oyster  supper  for  a  large  number,  by  carrying  a 
man  named  Harrison  Barrows,  weighing  225  pounds 
three  fourths  of  a  mile  on  his  back.  What  made  this 
very  hard  to  accomplish  was  the  fact  that  the  by- 
standers poked  so  much  fun  at  them,  as  they  sped  on 
their  eventful  journey,  that  they  were  obliged  to  laugh 
heartily  all  the  way;  yet  my  father  offered  to  carry  the 
man  back  to  the  starting-point  for  one  hundred  and 
fifty  dollars  without  once  letting  him  down,  but  could 
get  no  takers.  Almost  every  night,  after  a  hard  day's 
work,  with  from  fifteen  to  fifty  neighbors  and  those 
who  would  come  from  long  distances  for  the  fun,  he 


LIFE    SKETCH. 


II 


would  go  out  for  coons  with  his  dogs  (of  which  he 
bought  and  kept  the  best)  until  long  past  midnight. 
For  many  years  he  was  engaged  in  the  palm-leaf  hat 
business,  having  splitting  factories  and  bleacheries  in 
Dana,  Hardwick,  Greenwich,  Barre,  Athol,  Petersham, 


CHAKLRS    F.    GLEASON,   JR. 


and  Orange.  The  leaf  was  to  be  found  in  almost 
every  house  in  Massachusetts,  Vermont,  New  Hamp- 
shire, and  Maine,  where  it  was  braided  into  hats  by  the 
women  at  home. 


12  HOW   TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 

FATHER    AN    EXPERT    HORSEMAN. 

This  required  a  large  amount  of  riding  and  teaming, 
and  my  father  always  had  from  seven  to  twelve  of  the 
best  horses.  He  had  on  the  road,  all  of  the  time,  at 
least  fifty  pedler  wagons,  with  which  the  leaf  was  dis- 
tributed and  the  hats  collected.  Once,  on  one  order, 
40,000  dozen  hats  were  moved  in  a  night  from  Athol 
to  Barre.  When  my  father  heard  of  a  runaway  or 
vicious  animal,  he  would  go  miles  to  buy  it,  claiming 
that  only  the  best  horses  were  vicious.  He  went  to 
Londonderry  to  buy  a  horse  "warranted  to  run  away 
'and  break  his  neck  the  first  time  he  was  hitched." 
After  completing  the  bargain  at  the  hotel,  my  father, 
by  ringing  a  bell,  attracted  a  crowd  and  invited  them 
in  to  take  something  preparatory  to  having  his  neck 
broken.  Then,  hitching  the  animal  up,  he  drove  off 
and  landed  at  Deerfield,  eighty  miles  away,  the  next 
morning.  He  declared  that  the  best  way  to  cure  a 
runaway  was  *' to  show  him  the  end  of  the  road."  I 
never  knew  him  to  have  a  sick  or  lame  horse,  for, 
although  he  gave  his  animals  hard  drives,  he  always 
took  good  care  of  them  after  so  doing.  He  never 
drove  less  than  ten  miles  an  hour  on  the  road. 

father's    western    EXPERIENCES. 

In  1864,  buying  grain  for  Government  offered  better 
prospects  for  money-making,  and,  settling  own  in 
Clifton,  Iroquois  County,  Illinois,  my  father  built  a 
large  elevator,  the  largest  in  the  State  at  that  time, 
and  was  doing  an  immense  business  when  the  war 
closed.  The  demand  for  corn  suddenly  stopping,  an 
immense  amount  was  left  on  my  father's  hands, 
the  loss  upon  which  ruined  him  financially.  Some- 
what discouraged,  he  returned  to  New  England  and 
to  the    palm-leaf  hat  business,  although  on   a  much 


LIFE   SKETCH.  1 3 

smaller  scale  than  formerly.  At  Orange,  where  he 
made  his  home,  he  met  with  great  success,  so  that  in 
1868,  at  Millington,  Mass.,  he  opened  the  large  brick 
hotel  known  as  the  Millington  House.  This  he  fur- 
nished in  the  most  expensive  manner,  and  the  hotel 
became  well  known  as  the  horsemen's  headquarters. 

Avery  interesting  event  occurred  here  one  day  dur- 
ing my  father's  absence.  At  that  time  the  liquor 
law  was  strictly  enforced.  Detectives  were  "  nosing 
around,"  seeking  for  what  they  could  devour,  and 
called  at  the  Millington  House.  My  mother  suspected 
at  once  who  they  were.  Telling  me  to  look  after  their 
horses,  she  went  to  the  room  where  the  demijohn  was 
kept,  and  taking  in  her  apron  some  crackers  as  well  as 
the  aforesaid  article,  carried  it  out  from  under  their 
noses,  plunged  it  into  the  soft  soap  barrel  and  pushed 
it  to  the  bottom.  On  my  father's  return  the  next  day 
it  was  hard  work  for  three  men  to  pull  out  that  demi- 
john. On  that  occasion  I  remember  receiving  two 
dollars  for  taking  care  of  the  detectives'  horses. 

When  a  young  man  my  father  was  badly  gored  by 
a  bull,  from  the  effects  of  which  he  never  fully  re- 
covered. He  also  was  much  troubled  with  inflamma- 
tory rheumatism,  which  complaint  he  thought  was  ag- 
gravated by  our  long,  cold  winters.  Impressed  with 
the  idea  that  a  life  in  the  West  might  benefit  him,  he 
disposed  of  His  hotel  in  Millington,  and  removed  his 
family  to  Dakota,  Humboldt  County,  Iowa,  about 
ninety  miles  above  Fort  Dodge,  on  the  west  branch  of 
the  Des  Moines  River,  where  he  bought  a  large  stone 
mansion  one  and  a  half  miles  from  the  village  of 
Springville.  Here  he  built  an  extensive  meat-market, 
a  large  hotel,  restaurant,  and  several  houses,  going 
largely  into  the  live-stock  business,  his  butchering 
averaging   about  five    carcasses  a  week  for   the  local 


14  HOW   TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 

demand.  He  devoted  his  whole  energies  to  his  busi- 
ness, taking  better  care  of  his  animals  than  of  him- 
self. While  here,  by  his  determination  and  example 
he  prevented  the  town  from  being  swept  away  by  the 
floods.  Taking  hold  at  a  time  when  all  his  neighbors 
expected  everything  would  be  ruined,  he  filled  up  the 
already  large  breach  with  boulders  and  sacks.  This 
example  infused  new  life  and  vigor  into  the  dazed 
citizens,  who,  seeing  they  had  a  live  Yankee  for  a 
leader,  took  hold  with  a  will,  so  that  there  were  at 
work  at  this  critical  time  not  less  than  five  hundred 
men  with  almost  as  many  animals.  Bidding  defiance 
to  the  raging  flood,  they  succeeded,  by  almost  super- 
human efforts,  in  counteracting  the  threatened  destruc- 
tion. 

Finding  his  days  for  hard  work  over,  my  father  was 
obliged  once  more,  in  187 1,  to  return  to  the  East,  where 
he  went  into  the  sewing-machine  business,  selling  oft- 
en in  one  day,  without  leaving  the  hotel  parlor,  ten 
machines  at  a  profit  of  at  least  seven  dollars  each. 
This  business  he  followed  successfully  in  New  Hamp- 
shire, Vermont,  and  Maine.  He  afterwards  carried  on 
a  large  meat  and  live-stock  business  in  West  Town- 
send,  Vt.,  two  or  three  times  a  year  driving  large  lots 
of  cattle  to  Connecticut,  in  company  with  Mr.  Sprague 
of  Weston,  He  died  in  1884,  his  health  having  been 
failing  for  two  or  more  years.  His  connection  with  my 
travels  in  the  horse-training  business  will  be  narrated 
further  along  in  this  autobiography. 

MY    BIRTH    AND    EARLY    LIFE. 

On  the  14th  of  July,  1856,  at  Petersham,  Mass.,  a 
commotion  was  caused  in  that  quiet,  pleasant  country 
village  by  the  arrival  of  a  no  less  important  individual 
than    myself.     Although    no  hangers,    show-bills,  or 


LIFE  SKETCH.  I5 

dodgers  were  issued  on  the  occasion,  as  has  been  the 
custom  since,  wherever  I  have  been  expected,  a  goodly 
company  was  collected — enough  to  "fill  the  bill,"  at  any 
rate,  and  all  that  the  event  required. 

Very  early  in  life  I  evinced  a  great  fondness  for 
horses.  Ever  since  I  can  remember  my  father,  he  was 
the  owner  of  vicious  horses,  knowing  well  the  fact 
that  such  animals  are  generally  good  ones.  Thus  I 
had  a  rare  opportunity  for  developing  my  leading  in- 
herited passion,  which  became  quite  marked  before  I 
was  eleven  years  of  age.  At  that  time,  unknown  to 
my  father,  I  succeeded,  after  trying  for  two  days,  in 
harnessing  and  driving  a  young,  nervous,  excitable, 
well-bred,  fast  horse  he  had  lately  purchased — the 
former  owner  having  disposed  of  it  on  account  of  its 
liability  to  run  away.  In  an  old  chaise  I  set  out  for 
Dana,  for  which  place  my  father  and  mother  had  al- 
ready started.  After  an  hour's  ride  I  passed  them  at  a 
break-neck  pace,  was  soon  out  of  sight,  and  reached  my 
destination  safely.  My  father  was  much  frightened, 
expecting  to  see  me  dashed  to  pieces  by  the  horse  he 
was  himself  afraid  to  drive.  I  received  much  praise 
for  my  daring  from  those  who  saw  me  drive  up  as  I 
did;  and  my  father  could  not  make  up  his  mind  to 
punish  me,  as  he  had  determined  to  do,  but  finally 
made  me  a  present  of  the  horse.  This  animal  was 
afterwards  sold  for  about  three  hundred  dollars.  I 
relate  this  incident  merely  to  show  that  thus  early  in 
life  I  had  as  strong  a  desire  to  master  and  control  a 
horse  as  I  have  now. 

When  my  father  went  to  Iowa  I  was  about  twelve 
years  old,  and  when  he  presented  me  with  a  beautiful 
cow  pony  I  thought  my  happiness  was  about  com- 
plete. There  seemed  to  be  no  enjoyment  except  with 
my  faithful  horse.     While  driving  cattle,  all  I  had  to 


l6  now   TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 

do  was  to  let  my  pony  know  which  particular  animal 
was  wanted;  after  it  he  would  go,  and  separate  it  from 
the  others  without  having  to  be  directed  by  the  reins. 
Once,  I  remember,  where  the  road  led  over  a  bridge 
across  the  river,  one  of  the  steers  bolted  out  of  the 
road  and  down  the  bank.  After  him,  without  a  word 
from  me,  went  my  pony  and  into  the  river.  ''  Look 
out  for  quicksands!"  shouted  my  frightened  father 
from  the  bridge.  I  was  then  in  deep  water,  my  pony 
swimming  close  up  to  the  steer  and  biting  at  him  to 
hurry  him  through  the  water.  We  safely  emerged  on 
the  other  side,  though  somewhat  moistened.  At  this 
time  I  became  quite  an  expert  butcher.  In  the  winter, 
while  on  my  pony  hunting  wild  cattle,  I  would  shoot 
one,  dress  it  and  cover  the  quarters  with  snow,  which 
would  absorb  all  the  blood,  leaving  the  carcass  in 
fine  shape  for  takitig  away  when  the  team  arrived. 

Thus  I  enjoyed  two  years  of  Western  life  with  my 
pony  and  my  Newfoundland  dog  Trusty.  At  that 
time  no  railroad  was  in  operation,  and  I  never  shall 
forget  the  long  stage-ride  of  one  day  and  night  from 
Boone  to  Des  Moines,  passing  only  two  houses  or  huts. 
At  one  of  them,  however — a  sod  hut  belonging  to  an 
Irishman,  twenty  miles  from  any  other  habitation — I 
had  the  best  dinner,  I  think,  I  have  ever  eaten,  consist- 
ing principally  of  pork  steaks,  while  pigs  and  goats 
were  running  in  and  out  of  the  house,  apparently  as 
much  at  home  as  the  two-legged  occupants. 

When  my  father  was  in  the  sewing-machine  busi- 
ness I  became  an  expert  operator,  and  would  teach 
the  young  ladies  to  run  one,  after  my  father  had  ef- 
fected a  sale.  Thus  I  was  handy  and  useful  at  the 
same  time,  and  I  think  the  ladies  rather  liked  me  for 
a  teacher.  We  were  then  living  in  West  Townsend, 
with  my  new  mother,  and  for  the  first  time  I  had  an 


LIFE   SKETCH.  I7 

opportunity  of  going  to  school.  But  I  did  not  make 
much  of  a  scholar,  as  my  mind  was  too  full  of  horses 
and  outdoor  work.  I  much  preferred  going  to  Con- 
necticut with  one  of  father's  droves  of  cattle. 

MY    START    AS    A    LECTURER. 

About  this  time  Professor  C.  H.  C.  Williams,  of  the 
well-known  horse-taming  firm  of  Rockwell,  Hurl- 
burt  &  Williams,  visited  the  place,  and  my  father  and 
I  joined  the  class.  I  was  greatly  interested  in  what  I 
saw,  and  went  to  a  number  of  towns  where  the  Pro- 
fessor was  forming  classes.  When  I  saw  how  much 
money  he  was  taking  in,  I  made  up  my  mind  to  go 
and  do  likewise.  After  thinking  it  well  over,  I  told 
my  father  what  I  had  determined  to  do.  He  said: 
"  You  lecture  !  Why,  the  folks  will  laugh  at  you;  they 
will  stone  you,"  etc.  But  nothing  he  could  or  did 
say  made  me  change  my  mind.  "  I  will  give  you  six 
months  as  being  all  the  time  you  will  be  away  from 
home,"  said  my  father. 

My  first  bills,  or  hangers,  were  written  for  me  by 
Miss  Gordon,  of  West  Townsend,  Vt.  They  were 
about  two  feet  long,  and,  after  each  performance,  were 
taken  down  and  saved  for  the  next  occasion.  My  first 
lecture  was  given  at  Wardsboro  City,  Vt.,  in  front  of 
Waite's  Hotel,  at  2  p.m.  I  formed  a  class,  and,  to  my 
great  astonishment,  took  in  twenty-two  dollars.  This 
lecture  I  delivered  standing  in  a  wagon,  my  knees 
shaking  as  if  I  had  been  caught  in  some  criminal  act. 
This  amused  my  hearers,  but  they  were  well  satisfied 
with  what  I  had  to  show  and  explain.  My  success 
gave  me  great  encouragement,  and  for  two  weeks  I 
continued  the  exhibition,  returning  home  with  just  the 
amount  I  started  out  with. 

At  tliat  time  my  father  owned  a  buckskin  mare, 
2 


i§  HOW  TO    EDUCATE  HORSES, 

four  years  old,  but  she  was  almost  a  confirmed  balker 
and  kicker.  I  asked  leave  to  teach  this  mare,  and  re- 
ceived his  consent.  I  named  her  Topsy,  and,  with  the 
assistance  of  John  Page,  son  of  the  postmaster  of 
West  Townsend,  in  four  days  taught  her  to  drive 
without  reins.  When  I  asked  my  father  for  the  use 
of  this  horse,  his  reply  was:  "Yes;  if  you  are  de- 
termined you  will  go  into  the  business."  In  Septem- 
ber, 1876,  with  Topsy,  the  wagon,  straps,  etc.,  I  started 
on  a  travelling  tour.  On  bidding  good-by  to  my 
father,  he  said,  "  You  will  be  back  in  about  six 
months."  "  Not  without  a  fortune,"  I  replied.  He 
offered  me  money  to  take  with  me,  but  I  declined  it, 
and  left  with  just  seventy-five  cents  in  my  pocket,  and 
have  never  been  to  West  Townsend  since. 

At  West  Brattleboro'  I  remained  one  day,  gave  a 
lecture,  and  received  just  money  enough  to  defray 
expenses.  My  first  hand-bills,  6x4,  were  struck  off  at 
Halifax,  where  I  hired  a  boy,  for  twelve  dollars  per 
month,  to  go  with  me.  Here  I  was  surprised  and  much 
pleased  by  a  call  from  Professor  D.  Wilder,  of  the 
firm  of  Rockwell,  Hurlburt,  Williams  &  Wilder,  and 
an  old  friend  of  my  father.  This  gentleman  was  so 
much  interested  in  me  and  my  mission  that  he  sat  up 
all  night  giving  me  information  and  advice,  which  have 
been  of  great  value  to  me  since.  He  gave  me  a  copy 
of  his  book,  and  showed  me  the  hand-bills  he  had 
used  on  his  tours  since  i860.  I  shall  never  forget  his 
kindness  in  giving  me  "points,"  which  have  proved 
of  great  assistance.  Mr.  Wilder  was  the  owner  and 
educator  of  the  famous  Black  Hawk  stallion,  known 
throughout  the  country  as  one  of  the  most  wonder- 
fully trained  performing  horses. 

Passing  through  Colerain,  Shelburne  Falls,  Green- 
field, Deerfield,  and  Holyoke  to  Hazardville,  I  made 


LIFE   SKETCH.  I9 

my  headquarters  at  the  Charter  House  for  three 
months  with  Sylvester  Charter.  Then  I  went  to 
Thompsonville,  Suffolk,  Warehouse  Point,  Windsor 
Locks,  South  Hartford,  Middletown,  Manchester,  Staf- 
ford Springs,  West  Winsted,  Collinsville,  Unionville, 
Meriden,  New  Haven,  Guilford  Springs,  Saybrook, 
Essex,  Chester,  Colchester,  Durham,  Wallingford, 
New  Britain,  and  back  to  Hazardville.  While  at 
Manchester  I  met  my  father  for  the  first  time  since  I 
left  home.  I  can  still  see  his  astonished  look  as  he 
heard  for  the  first  time,  while  sitting  on  the  stoop  of 
the  hotel,  my  lecture  to  a  large  audience;  and  he  was 
still  more  astonished  when  he  saw  me  take  in  $270. 
He  had  taken  in  considerable  money  in  his  day,  but 
never  at  the  rate  of  two  hundred  dollars  an  hour.  His 
first  words  were,  "Don't  you  want  a  partner?"  At 
Hazardville  I  remained  about  four  months,  giving  in- 
struction in  the  education  of  horses;  I  also  trained  a 
bay  horse  I  had  purchased  of  Henry  Bristol,  of  New 
Haven,  for  $110.  About  New  Year's  day  my  father 
joined  me,  bringing  with  him  two  wagons,  two  horses, 
and  three  new  harnesses. 

The  winter  being  an  open  one,  I  continued  giving  ex- 
hibitions out-of-doors,  travelling  with  wagons.  While 
at  Stafford  a  man  interrupted  me  in  one  of  my  lectures, 
saying,  "Oh,  God  !  Rockwell  used  to  drive  his  horses 
without  lines  and  no  bridle  on  his  horse."  My  reply 
was:  "I  only  use  lines  for  the  safety  of  my  hearers. 
Take  off  the  bridle  and  I  will  show  you  I  can  do  with 
a  horse  anything  that  any  man  can."  I  had  my  buck- 
skin mare  Topsy  with  me.  I  had  never  made  the 
attempt  to  drive  her  in  the  shafts  without  lines, 
although  they  were  generally  hanging  loose  on  the 
dasher.  You  can  imagine  somewhat  my  feelings 
when  he  obeyed   my  injunction  to  take  the  bridle  off; 


20  HOW   TO    EDUCATE   HORSES. 

but  I  nerved  myself  up  and  gave  as  fine  an  exhibition 
as  any  man  ever  made — driving  her  entirely  by  the 
motion  of  the  whip,  backing,  turning  to  the  right  and 
left,  stopping,  etc.;  and  ever  afterwards  I  used  her  en- 
tirely without  bits  or  lines,  which  proved  to  be  one  of 
my  best  cards.  At  Manchester  I  obtained  my  first 
items  in  regard  to  shoeing  from  a  Mr.  Stone,  the  in- 
ventor of  the  never-slip  shoe,  sitting  up  with  him 
until  three  o'clock  in  the  morning. 

SECOND    LECTURING    TOUR. — PROGRESS. 

In  April,  1877,1  commenced  on  the  road  again,  having 
had  my  wagons  repaired  and  painted.  The  first  ex- 
hibition was  before  at  least  one  thousand  persons, 
and  will  long  be  remembered  by  me,  owing  to  the 
result  of  a  race  between  a  mustang  pony  and  a  horse 
belonging  to  Sylvester  Charter.  The  pony  bolted, 
and  completely  smashed  my  buggy,  which  had  just 
been  put  in  fine  condition.  On  the  next  day  I  started 
with  six  horses  and  seven  men,  my  father  going  ahead 
as  advance  agent. 

At  Springfield  I  had  my  first  book  printed.  Its 
title  was,  "New  Treatise  on  the  Art  of  Training 
Horses:  by  Prof.  O.  R.  Gleason."  When  I  arrived  at 
Westfield,  Mass.,  I  found  a  horseman  by  the  name  of 
Dennis  Magner  ahead  of  me;  but  since  that  time  I 
have  always  kept  ahead  of  him,  and  still  intend  doing 
so  by  beating  his  time. 

Next  I  went  to  Chester,  then  to  Chatham  Four  Cor- 
ners, N,  Y.,  via  severaf  small  towns;  then  to  Hudson, 
and  across  the  river  to  Athens  and  Catskill;  then  to 
Fishkill  Landing,  crossing  back  to  Newburgh;  then  to 
Orange  County,  where  I  paid  a  visit  to  the  farm  of 
Alden  Goldsmith,  once  owner  of  Goldsmith  Maid, 
from  whom  I  received  many  favors,  and  with  whom  I 


LIFE   SKETCH, 


21 


22  HOW   TO    EDUCATE   HORSES. 

had  a  very  pleasant  time.  From  this  place  to  Ches- 
ter, Warwick,  Florida,  and  Goshen,  going  to  Charles 
Bachman's  fine  stock-farm,  where  there  were  about 
three  hundred  splendid  horses;  to  Middletown,  Deck- 
ertown,  N.  J.;  Newton,  over  the  mountain  to  Port 
Jervis  and  Milford,  and  then,  over  the  longest,  most 
mountainous,  tedious,  hard  road  I  ever  travelled,  to 
Hawley,  Pa.,  where  I  did  an  immense  business  through 
May  and  June.  At  Honesdale  I  formed  a  very  large 
class,  and  handled  a  most  vicious  mare  that  had  not 
been  driven  for  two  years.  I  had  through  here  a 
pleasant  time  with  the  people,  but  it  was  rough  trav- 
elling over  the- hard,  hilly  roads;  yet  I  was  well  paid, 
being  the  first  horseman  who  ever  visited  the  region. 
From  Mount  Pleasant  we  went  up  hill  and  down  to 
Montrose,  stopping  at  the  Franklin  House,  kept  by 
John  S.  Tarbell.  Mr.  Tarbell  was  the  man  that  started 
the  lamented  A.  H.  Rockwell,  the  noted  horse-tamer, 
who  afterwards  became,  next  to  John  H.  Rarey,  the 
most  eminent  horseman  in  this  country.  Mr.  Rock- 
well came  to  Mr.  Tarbell's  place  without  one  cent  of 
money,  telling  him  that  he  could  train  Morgan  Tiger, 
a  fine  but  vicious  horse  belonging  to  Mr.  Tarbell,  to 
perform  many  tricks.  Mr.  Rockwell  was  promised 
fourteen  dollars  a  month  if  he  succeeded  in  so  doing. 
The  work  was  so  perfectly  accomplished  that  together 
they  gave  exhibitions,  making  a  large  amount  of 
money. 

ANECDOTE    OF    MR.  ROCKWELL. 

At  this  place  Mr.  Rockwell  first  made  the  acquaint- 
ance of  the  lady  that  afterwards  became  his  wife 
against  the  consent  of  her  father,  who  refused  to  let 
her  have  anything  to  do  with  a  "horseman,"  consid- 
ering him  far  beneath  her  in  social  standing.     But  the 


LIFE   SKETCH. 


23 


24  HOW   TO   EDUCATE   HORSES." 

young  people  eloped,  and  were  married  at  Mr.  Tar- 
bell's  house.  Mrs.  Rockwell's  father,  becoming  in- 
volved, had  been  obliged  to  raise  money  by  mort- 
gaging his  farm.  Some  time  after  Rockwell  took 
occasion  to  visit  the  old  gentleman,  but  was  received 
very  coldly,  saying  "he  wanted  nothing  of  him,"  etc. 
Coolly  taking  a  roll  of  bills  from  his  pocket,  and 
handing  the  same  to  his  father-in-law,  Mr.  Rockwell 
said,  "  Pay  off  the  mortgage  on  your  place,  and  take 
things  easy  now,  for  we  have  plenty  of  the  'stuff.'" 
He  also  took  with  him  into  business  two  of  his  wife's 
brothers,  making  the  whole  family  rich.  They  were 
afterwards  all  lost  in  the  Pacific  Ocean  by  the  sink- 
ing of  the  steamer  Pacific,  in  November,  1875. 

While  at  Mr.  Tarbell's  my  time  was  very  pleasantly 
and  profitably  spent,  the  landlord  refusing  to  take 
one  cent  for  the  trouble  I  had  made  him.  Going 
from  there  over  the  mountain  roads — while  in  the 
wagon  driving  Topsy  without  bits  or  lines — my  father, 
who  was  on  the  seat  beside  me,  suddenly  fell  over 
with  heart  disease.  Before  I  could  say  a  word,  the 
horse  stopped  short  and  would  not  move  until,  with 
considerable  trouble,  we  managed  to  get  my  father 
out  and  on  the  ground,  where  he  recovered. 

MY    FIRST    TALL    HAT. 

During  my  stay  at  Montrose  I  concluded  to  buy  me 
a  tall  hat.  It  was  the  first  one  I  ever  possessed.  Up 
to  that  time  I  had  always,  worn  a  common  wool-cloth 
cap  and  standing  collar,  and  never  had  worn  an  over- 
coat previous  to  1880.  I  also  wore  side  whiskers, 
and  sported  a  silver  watch  attached  to  a  long  bamboo 
chain.  This  hat  required  more  of  an  outlay  in  wet- 
ting it  thoroughly  than  the  original  cost.  It  afforded 
plenty  of  fun  to  my  friends,  if  not  to  myself;  at  any 


LIFE   SKETCH.  25 

rate,  when  I  had  the  tall  hat  on  my  head  I  felt  like  a 
much  more  important  Individual  than  before. 

EXPERIENCES    IN    PENNSYLVANIA. 

V/e  next  went  to  Susquehanna,  Deposit,  and  Han- 
cock, and  over  terrible  roads  to  Bath,  Pa.  Then 
through  Bethlehem  to  South  Bethlehem,  where  I  re- 
mained three  days  and  formed  a  class  of  over  two 
hundred;  next  to  Cooperstown,  Quakerstown,  and 
througli  several  small  places  toNorristown.  Here  the 
Germans  were  distrustful  of  horsemen,  my  approach 
being  heralded  by  "  Look  out  for  him,"  so  that  I  had 
quite  a  picnic,  and,  taking  in  no  money,  finally  ar- 
rived at  Philadelphia.  Stopping  with  Mat  Ifill,  I 
soon  made  the  acquaintance  of  Robert  Steele,  an  ex- 
tensive and  well-known  breeder  of  fine  horses.  In 
company  with  my  father,  I  visited  the  grand  Centen- 
nial Exposition,  enjoying  much  this  unequalled  dis- 
play of  the  great  resources  and  wealth  of  our  coun- 
try. My  visit  in  Philadelphia  was  very  pleasant  and 
never  to  be  forgotten.  While  visiting  and  calling 
upon  the  many  noted  horsemen,  I  heard  of  a  horse 
which  was  particularly  vicious  and  unmanageable. 
It  was  a  very  fine-bred  and  fast  animal,  but  from  bad 
handling  had  become  almost  worthless.  This  was 
the  well-known  and  now  famous  horse  Resolute,  be- 
longing to  Mr.  James  Cooper.  The  horse  had  a 
record  of  2.22,  but  no  man  had  been  able  to  drive 
him  for  a  long  time.  Every  horseman  in  that  region 
knew  of  him  and  of  his  ugliness.  Now  was  my  op- 
portunity to  request  the  privilege  of  handling  this 
horse.  Mr.  Cooper  replied,  "Oh,  no;  too  many  of 
these  horse-tamers  have  done  their  prettiest,  but  have 
been  obliged  to  give  him  up  as  entirely  unmanagable 
and,  instead  of  doing  him  any  good,  have  left  him 


26  HOW   TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 

more  dangerous  and  savage  than  ever."  I  put 
into  Mr.  Cooper's  hands  $300  to  be  forfeited  if  I 
failed,  in  not  over  sixty  minutes,  to  completely  sub- 
due, harness  and  drive  this  horse.  Mr.  Cooper 
agreed,  saying  he  "knew  of  no  better  or  easier 
way  of  making  $300  clean."  My  father  was  trav- 
elling with  me  at  this  time,  and  when  he  learned 
what  I  had  done,  he  refused  to  have  anything  to  do 
in  the  foolhardy,  and,  in  his  opinion,  impracticable, 
undertaking.  Nothing  daunted,  and  more  deter- 
mined than  ever,  I  hired  of  Messrs.  Doyle,  Nichols 
&  Co.  their  old  Race-street  Bazaar  for  one  afternoon. 
Not  having  money  enough  to  advertise  in  the  papers, 
I  ordered  some  hand-bills  at  the  Ledger  office.  While 
I  was  reading  one  of  them  a  gentleman  approached 
and  said,  "What  is  all  this?"  When  I  explained  the 
business  to  him,  he  observed  that  I  ought  to  call  the 
attention  of  the  public  to  it  through  the  morning 
papers.  To  my  reply  that  I  had  not  the  money,  he 
said:  "  Well,  I  will  do  it  for  you.  I  am  Geo.  W.  Childs, 
the  proprietor  of  the  Ledger^  He  was  as  good  as 
his  word,  and  came  himself  in  his  carriage,  which  was 
driven  into  the  building,  and  in  which  he  sat  during 
the  entire  lecture.  My  father  was  still  certain  I  would 
not  only  lose  the  $300  deposit,  but  be  in  debt  for  the 
rent  of  the  hall.  He  kept  away  until  I  sent  a  request 
that  he  would  assist  me  in  selling  tickets;  and  for  one 
hour  at  least  he  and  an  able  assistant  had  all  they 
could  attend  to  in  taking  in  the  money. 

After  explaining  my  method,  I  commenced  on  Reso- 
lute, who  was  rearing  and  struggling  to  free  himself 
from  the  grasp  of  four  men,  and  in  just  thirty  minutes 
I  had  him  so  thoroughly  under  my  control  that  I 
drove  him  round  the  ring  without  bridle,  lines,  or 
bit.     I  fired  a  pistol  several  times,  opened  and  closed 


LIFE   SKETCH. 


27 


an  umbrella  while  on  his  back,  tied  tin  pans  to  his 
tail,  gave  him  my  full  and  complete  test,  and  the  ani- 
mal showed  plainly  that  I  was  his  master,  and  was  now 
as  tractable  as  he  was  disobedient  and  refractory  be- 
fore. I  made  him  perform  feats  and  tricks,  my  suc- 
cess being  so  apparent  that  it  seemed  as  if  the  audience 


'^■".^57  777/ M!    \ 


THE    HORSE    RESOLUTE, 


would  never  cease  applauding.  In  handling  this  horse 
I  placed  him  in  an  enclosure  or  ring  about  fifteen  feet 
in  diameter,  without  even  a  halter  on  him.  Approach- 
ing him,  I  snapped  the  whip,  at  which  the  horse  turned 
upon  me  with  his  heels.  I  gave  him  a  sharp  cut  around 
the  ankles,  until  he  turned  his  head  towards  me;  I  then 
patted  his  face  and  head.     He  soon  learned  it  was  far 


28  HOW    TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 

better  not  to  turn  his  heels  towards  me,  and  in  five 
minutes  I  had  him  quietly  following  me  around  the 
ring.  I  then  placed  my  bridle,  called  the  "  Eureka," 
on  his  head  and  mounted  him.  Then,  before  putting 
him  in  the  shafts,  by  means  of  my  double-safety  rope 
I  convinced  him  of  the  impracticability  of  attempting 
to  run  away,  rear,  or  kick.  This  horse  was  driven  for 
two  years  without  any  trouble,  and  afterwards  sold  to 
a  gentleman  in  New  York  State.  I  was  advised  to 
remain  in  Philadelphia  longer,  owing  to  the  immense 
success  I  had  achieved;  but  other  counsels  prevailed, 
which  I  subsequently  had  reason  to  regret. 

IN    DELAWARE,    NEW    JERSEY    AND    NEW    YORK. 

Soon  afterwards,  at  Wilmington,  Del.,  I  came  in 
contact  with  another  noted  horse,  called  Running 
Gail,  belonging  to  the  father  of  Budd  Doble,  the  ex- 
pert horseman  and  driver.  The  owner  of  this  horse 
really  believed  no  man  could  handle,  much  less  drive, 
him;  and  you  can  imagine  somewhat  his  surprise  and 
astonishment  upon  seeing  me  drive  up  to  his  hotel  at 
Harris  Corner,  with  his  horse  hitched  to  a  skeleton 
wagon,  accompanied  by  Dr.  B.  F.  Vandeuer,  a  noted 
veterinary  surgeon.  The  value  of  this  horse  was  in- 
creased tenfold,  and  was  bid  for  lively  at  Mr.  Doble's 
public  sale.  The  last  I  heard  of  him,  he  was  working 
kindly  and  was  very  gentle.  This  success  brought 
me  in  contact  with  all  the  horsemen  in  the  vicinity, 
where  I  remained  two  months,  much  to  the  benefit  of 
my  bank  account. 

On  leaving  Wilmington  my  route  was  towards 
Hackettstown,  N.  J.  With  me  now  were  my  father, 
C.  Newland,  a  well  known  horseman  who  formerly 
travelled  with  the  late  O.  S.  Pratt,  and  five  men  and 
horses.     Passing  through  a  number  of  places  as  far 


LIFE   SKETCH.  29 

north  as  Morristown,  I  did  a  fair  business;  but  my  ex- 
penses were  necessarily  large,  so  that  the  amount 
which  stuck  to  my  fingers  was  not  great.  Thinking  I 
could  do  better  in  another  field,  I  made  a  jump,  as  it 
were,  to  Brewster,  N.  Y.,  passing  rapidly  over  about 
200  miles  and  through  a  large  number  of  places  in 
four  days,  without  giving  an  exhibition.  My  father 
went  ahead  to  Dover,  at  which  place  he  felt  compelled, 
by  failing  strength,  to  give  up  travelling  and  to  re- 
turn to  his  home.  I  also  had  discovered  that  it  was 
hard  work  to  do  enough  to  pay  expenses  of  horses 
and  men  on  the  road;  and,  after  a  long  consultation, 
concluded  to  give  up  travelling  with  horses  and  go 
entirely  by  rail.  My  father  was  to  take  all  the  ani- 
mals with  him  to  Vermont;  and  on  the  morrow  there 
was  a  sorrowful  adieu,  for  I  could  but  feel  that  this 
would  be  the  last  time  I  would  ever  see  him,  and  I 
think  he  thought  so,  too.  Shaking  him  affectionately 
by  the  hand,  I  turned  away  with  eyes  filled  with  tears, 
to  give  my  Topsy  a  farewell  caress,  and,  I  am  not 
ashamed  to  say,  a  farewell  hug  around  her  neck.  And 
thus  we  parted,  never  again  to  meet  on  earth.  Soon 
after  reaching  home,  my  father  had  another  attack 
similar  to  the  one  he  had  while  crossing  the  mountains 
in  Pennsylvania,  and  he  was  laid  quietly  away  before 
I  even  heard  of  his  departure. 

CONNECTICUT    AND    EASTERN    NEW    JERSEY. 

I  had  become  much  attached  to  my  faithful  and  in- 
telligent mare,  Topsy.  For  a  long  time  I  had  been 
using  her  entirely  without  reins,  and  she  obeyed  my 
every  word  and  movement.  We  had  learned  to  rely 
implicitly  upon  each  other,  while  with  me  nothing 
was  too  good  for  her,  and  it  was  evident  she  fully  ap- 
preciated   my   kindness.      Mr.    Newland    and    myself 


30  HOW   TO    EDUCATE   HORSES. 

now  went  to  Danbury,  Milford,  and  Stamford,  Conn. 
The  weather  was  intensely  cold,  and  the  snow  deep, 
and  we  could  not  more  than  pay  expenses.  We 
then  went  through  the  Eastern  part  of  Jersey,  lectur- 
ing in  a  large  number  of  small  towns  with  poor  re- 
muneration. On  this  trip  there  was  brought  to  me  at 
Windsor  the  meanest,  most  treacherously  vicious  ani- 
mal I  had  ever  met  with.  The  remark  of  the  Doctor, 
to  whom  the  animal  belonged,  was:  "  There,  Professor, 
take  her  and  don't  let  me  ever  see  her  again;  she  is 
too  mean  to  live."  I  succeeded  in  doing  more  with 
her  than  any  other  man  had  ever  been  able  to  do,  and 
with  this  animal  started  for  Philadelphia;  but  we 
gave  no  exhibitions  there,  as  Newland  had  become 
thoroughly  convinced  that  there  was  no  money  in  the 
horse  lecturing  business,  and,  to  tell  the  truth,  I  felt  so 
myself.     So  here  we  parted,  Newland  going  home. 

IN    THE    "  KEYSTONE    STATE  "    AGAIN. 

My  next  visits  were  to  Media,  West  Chester,  Down- 
ingtown,  and  Kennett  Square,  Pa.,  without  doing 
enough  to  pay  expenses.  In  fact,  I  was  "dead  broke," 
and  was  obliged  to  sell  my  horse,  parting  with  him 
without  reluctance,  for  he  was  too  ugly  to  learn  any- 
thing. I  have  since  learned  that  this  animal  came 
near  killing  the  man  who  attempted  to  take  care  of 
him.  Going  to  Old  Chester,  I  took  in  money  enough 
to  carry  me  to  Easton,  where  I  billed  the  town  and 
took  in  considerable  money  during  the ^ three  days  I 
remained.  Thence  my  road  led  over  the  mountains 
to  Bangor;  tired,  exhausted,  and  almost  discouraged, 
I  concluded  to  give  up  "  horse  education"  and  go  into 
"  horse  doctoring."  I  found  it  was  not  an  easy  mat- 
ter to  cure  spavins,  ring-bones,  etc.,  etc.,  however,  and 
consequently  my  "shingle"  as  Dr.  O.  R.  Gleason,  the 


LTFE    SKETCH.  3 1 

noted  and  successful  veterinary  surgeon,  did  not  re- 
main up  long,  and  on  the  first  of  August  I  was  on  the 
road  again,  going  to  Catasauqua  and  Slatington 
among  the  Germans,  and  thence  to  Hazleton  and 
Ashland,  into  the  great  coal  district  through  Potts- 
ville,  Mackinaw  City,  Shamokin,  and  Minersville. 
This  trip  was  very  pleasant  as  well  as  interesting,  for 
I  went  down  into  the  mines  and  was  filled  with  won- 
der and  astonishment  at  the  immensity  of  the  under- 
ground work.  Reading,  Pa.,  was  my  next  stopping- 
place,  where  I  gave  exhibitions  in  the  opera-house  be- 
longing to  John  Michler,  afterwards  known  in  connec- 
tion with  the  Equine  Paradox.  At  this  place  I  ac- 
complished the  unheard-of  feat  of  taking  twelve  vicious 
horses  up  an  entire  flight  of  stairs  into  the  opera-house 
and  handling  them  all  in  one  evening,  with  only  some 
"green"  help.  Among  these  horses  was  one  known 
as  Little  Mary,  with  a  record  of  2.22, 

From  Reading  I  went  to  Lancaster,  and  through 
several  towns  to  Chambersburg,  making  headquarters 
at  Miller's  Hotel.  Owing  to  urgent  requests,  I  allowed 
myself  to  depart  from  the  rule  I  had  adopted,  to  not 
handle  any  mule,  by  consenting,  after  considerable 
importuning,  to  subdue  a  particularly  vicious  brute, 
well-known  throughout  the  neighborhood.  I  suc- 
ceeded completely,  contrary  even  to  my  own  expecta- 
tions; but  while  removing  the  straps  from  the  brute, 
turning  my  back  for  an  instant,  it  seized  me  by  the 
arm  and  carried  me  at  least  fifteen  feet.  After  recov- 
ering from  fainting  caused  by  the  pain  inflicted  by  the 
teeth  of  this  vicious  animal,  I  was  obliged,  almost  alone, 
to  remove  the  cord  from  her  head.  In  this  disabled 
condition  I  was  obliged  to  drive  fifteen  miles  to  Ship- 
pensburg,  arriving  at  two  o'clock  in  the  morning, 
where  I  was  laid  up  for  three  weeks.     At  this  place 


32  HOW   TO    EDUCATE   HORSES. 

my  enforced  stop,  in  spite  of  my  disabled  condition, 
proved  a  very  agreeable  one,  and  I  was  well-cared  for. 

GREAT    DINNER    AND    GRAND    CAVALCADE. 

From  Shippensburg  I  started  out  for  new  fields,  and 
at  Little  York  and  the  towns  around  it  I  struck  a  bo- 
nanza, for  which  I  was  indebted  largely  to  my  friend, 
John  Harmon,  a  policeman,  who  not  only  knew  every- 
body, but  was  liked  by  all  except  those  who  knew  him 
officially.  It  was  my  luck  to  follow  a  would-be  horse- 
man, who  had  not  only  failed  in  handling  a  number 
of  vicious  brutes,  but  whose  reputation  was  unsavory. 
I  at  once  offered  to  handle  and  subdue  any  and  all 
animals,  without  distinction,  and  my  efforts  were 
crowned  with  such  success  that  a  class  of  over  1,300 
was  formed  in  and  about  this  place.  I  had  regular 
days  for  visiting  the  adjoining  towns,  and  my  scholars 
could  depend  on  me,  rain  or  shine.  My  charge  was 
two  dollars  for  each  member.  Considering  the  fact 
that  I  had  but  nine  dollars  in  my  pocket  when  I  ar- 
rived here,  I  had  good  reason  for  being  well  satisfied 
with  my  visit  to  Little  York.  One  day  I  asked  my 
landlord  what  he  would  furnish  a  turkey  dinner  for 
with  all  the  "fixings"  for  six  hundred  people. 
"Are  you  crazy?"  he  asked;  but,  finding  me  in  earnest, 
named  his  price,  and  I  told  him  to  go  ahead.  To  this 
dinner  I  invited  all  my  patrons,  and  on  the  appointed 
day,  six  hundred  of  my  pupils  turned  out  on  horseback 
to  attend  the  reception  given  by  me,  to  be  followed  by 
the  grand  turkey  dinner,  which  lasted  from  twelve  to 
four  o'clock. 

This  parade  will  long  be  remembered,  as  it  was  the 
great  event  of  the  place  and  time.  I  had  four  bands 
of  music  and  rode  in  an  open  buggy,  drawn  by  four 
beautiful  black  horses,  and  was  escorted  by  my  pupils, 


LIFE   SKETCH.  33 

mounted.  Some  had  saddles,  some  were  bareback, 
with  blind  or  open  bridles.  Some  of  the  riders  wore 
tall  hats,  while  others  had  slouch-hats  and  caps;  some 
wore  coats,  some  were  in  their  shirt-sleeves,  but  all 
were  enthusiastic  and  entered  with  great  spirit  into 
whatever  I  suggested  or  directed.  Probably  no  such 
parade  or  assembly  of  horses  had  been  seen  since  the 
time  of  the  great  battle  in  1863.  On  this  occasion  I 
was  presented  with  a  beautiful,  gold-mounted  whip. 
The  parade  was  formed  on  the  Gettysburg  pike,  one 
and  a  quarter  miles  from  the  town,  under  the  marshal- 
ship  of  Dr.  Kane,  who,  after  countermarching,  brought 
the  whole  cavalcade  back  in  fine  shape  to  the  United 
States  Hotel.  This  affair  cost  me  $825.  The  bands 
of  music  came  from  four  different  towns;  I  don't 
know  where  the  turkeys  came  from,  but  there  was  a 
huge  wagon-load  of  them.  The  town  was  literally 
packed  with  people;  the  windows  were  filled  with 
ladies,  and  certainly  it  was  a  great  affair.  I  was  a 
''lion"  on  that  day  in  the  estimation  of  the  good 
people  of  Little  York  and  vicinity,  as  I  stood  on  a  plat- 
form erected  for  the  occasion,  with  a  living  witness 
of  my  prowess,  the  well-known  Dover  horse.  This 
animal  had,  for  nearly  a  year,  defied  all  efforts  to 
harness  him;  it  was  even  almost  impossible  to  enter 
his  stall.  The  other  would-be  horseman  had  signally 
failed  on  the  animal,  which  had  won  me  renown 
throughout  this  part  of  the  country. 

Soon  after  my  arrival,  it  was  circulated  that  another 
so-called  horse-trainer  was  to  be  "  cleaned  out."  When 
one  of  the  first  animals  was  brought  to  me,  I  was  in- 
formed, with  many  a  knowing  wink,  that  I  would 
have  my  hands  full.  He  was  a  remarkable  animal,  T 
will  acknowledge;  but  after  a  lesson  of  not  exceeding 
three  hours  he  was  so  completely  convinced  that  he 
3 


34  HOW   TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 

must  obey,  and  no  harm  would  follow,  that  his  owner 
harnessed  him,  and  with  his  daughter  returned  to 
Dover  that  afternoon — to  the  astonishment  of  thou- 
sands who  had  known  the  animal  for  years  as  utterly 
worthless,  because  entirely  and  completely  unmanage- 
able. On  the  day  of  the  dinner  the  owner  had  driven 
him  from  Dover  with  his  family,  in  order  to  produce 
this  living  witness  of  the  power  and  stability  of  my 
unrivalled  method  of  educating  horses. 

SUCCESS    IN    MARYLAND. AN    EXCURSION. 

At  Hagerstown,  Md.,  John  Cost,  a  well-known  livery- 
stable  keeper,  consented  reluctantly  to  allow  me  to 
make  a  trial  on  his  Kentucky  thoroughbred  horse 
Prince,  fearing,  however,  that  my  system  was  the 
same  brutal  method  that  other  men  had  been  prac- 
tising. This  horse.  Prince,  had  just  been  purchased 
much  below  his  .value,  simply  because  it  was  impos- 
sible to  prevent  him  from  running  away.  One  Thurs- 
day I  gave  this  animal  a  lesson,  lasting  forty  minutes, 
and  on  Friday  drove  out  through  Court  Square,  to 
the  astonishment  of  every  man,  woman,  and  child  in 
the  city,  who  had  turned  out  as  if  to  see  a  circus. 
During  the  exhibition,  while  I  was  driving  rapidly,  a 
bolt  on  the  shafts  became  loose,  causing  them  to  fall 
on  the  horse's  heels;  but  so  thoroughly  had  I  instilled 
the  meaning  of  the  word  *'whoa!"  into  the  mind  of 
Prince  that,  as  soon  as  I  uttered  it  he  stopped  and 
stood  perfectly  still  while  the  bolt  was  replaced.  My 
success  here  was  assured,  and  for  four  months  I  reaped 
the  benefit  of  my  good  fortune.  I  believe  I  was  the 
first  horse-lecturer  who  ever  travelled  through  the 
Shenandoah  Valley.  At  Harrisonburg  my  success 
was  simply  immense,  having,  during  a  visit  of  thirty 
days,  thirty-three  hundred  members  in  my  classes  at 


LIFE   SKETCH.  35 

three  dollars  each.  As  a  slight  acknowledgment  of  the 
kindness  and  courtesy  extended  to  me  at  this  place,  I 
gave  a  grand  excursion,  running  a  special  train  of  ten 
coaches  from  Winchester  to  Harrisonburg,  a  distance 
of  ninety  miles,  and  gave  an  exhibition  of  my  method 
and  system  to  over  eight  thousand  persons,  probably 
the  largest  gathering  ever  before  seen  in  that  city. 

A    PLEASANT    SOUTHERN    CAMPAIGN. 

Proceeding  South,  through  Staunton,  Charlottes- 
ville, Lynchburg  and  Danville — having  at  each  of 
these  places  a  very  pleasant  as  well  as  profitable  visit 
— I  reached  Raleigh,  where  I  perfectly  astonished  the 
people  by  taking  two  horses  belonging  to  Dr.  Mead- 
ows up  two  flights  of  stone  steps  into  the  theatre. 
These  stairs  were  on  the  outside  of  the  building,  and 
although  the  mud  was  almost  knee-deep,  the  street 
around  the  building  was  literally  packed  with  specta- 
tors to  see  the  remarkable  feat  performed.  At  Golds- 
boro'  I  also  repeated,  to  a  vast  crowd  of  spectators, 
what  I  believe  no  other  man  ever  successfully  ac- 
complished— taking  three  horses  up  a  long  flight  of 
stairs  into  the  theatre.  Again,  at  Greensboro',  a  wild 
mustang  was  as  much  surprised  as  the  spectators,  by 
finding  himself  so  paralyzed  by  my  voice  as  to  go  up- 
stairs on  the  stage  of  Dr.  Benbow's  hall  in  less  time, 
actually,  than  it  takes  to  record  it.  At  Raleigh  my 
first  exhibition  was  with  seven  runaways  and  kickers, 
all  of  them  remarkably  bad  horses.  These  all  had  to 
be  taken  up  three  flights  of  iron  steps  into  the  only 
hall  or  exhibition  room  in  the  town  that  was  large 
enough  for  the  purpose.  Among  those  present  was 
Governor  Jarvis,  who  was  so  much  pleased  with  what 
he  had  seen  me  do  that  he  sent  his  acknowledg- 
ment  in  the   shape   of  an    exceptionally  elegant  and 


36  HOW   TO    EDUCATE   HORSES. 

complimentary  letter,  stating  how  heartily  he  en- 
dorsed my  method,  etc.  At  Winchester,  N.  C,  I  took 
two  wild  and  vicious  horses  up  three  flights  of  staii'S, 
giving  an  exhibition  with  them  and  safely  bringing 
them  down  again  after  the  display  closed.  The  owner 
felt  sure  that  I  would  be  obliged  to  lower  them  by 
rope  and  tackle;  in  fact,  he  was  on  the  hunt  for  ropes 
and  help.  But,  on  his  return,  was  surprised  at  finding 
the  horses  safely  on  terra  fiima. 

After  leaving  Raleigh,  I  met  with  poor  compensa- 
tion for  my  services.  Arriving  in  Charleston,  S.  C, 
with  not  money  enough  to  pay  my  fare  in  the  bus 
from  the  depot  to  Charleston  Hotel,  I  said  to  the  be- 
wildered fare-taker,  "  Why!  I  am  to  ride  back  with 
you,  and  will  pay  then."  At  the  hotel,  being  shown  to 
an  indifferent  room,  I  protested  and  was  given  the 
"bridal  chamber,"  with  which  I  was  satisfied.  At 
ten  o'clock  the  next  forenoon  I  gave  an  exhibition, 
and  returned  to  my  "  bridal  chamber"  and  four-dollar- 
a-day  hotel  with  one  hundred  and  sixty  dollars  in  my 
pocket,  and  having  a  load  of  anxiety  taken  off  my 
shoulders  thereby.  But  here,  as  well  as  elsewhere  in 
the  South,  I  fouTid  the  people  more  interested  in  rais- 
ing a  crop  than  in  the  question  of  how  to  educate 
horses.  But  I  must  say,  however,  that  I  never  was 
better  treated  or  more  hospitably  received  than  by  the 
Southerners.  I  have  always  found  a  friend  when  in 
need,  and  often  have  very  willingly  accepted  a  "T.  D." 
pipe  in  place  of  a  fine  cigar.  The  colored  people  I 
found  always  very  much  interested  in  my  lessons  and 
exhibitions,  although  they  considered  and  believed 
me  endowed  with  the  evil-eye  by  seeing  me  exercise 
such  power  over  the  animals  with  my  eye  alone. 
While  warning  each  other  with  a  **Take  care — he's  a 
wizard!"  they  little  dreamed   that  drawing  a  horse  to 


LIFE   SKETCH.  37 

me,  as  I  was  in  the  habit  of  doing,  was  merely  an  act 
of  curiosity  on  the  part  of  the  animal.  I  often  had 
mules  brought  to  me,  but  I  always  declined  handling 
them,  requesting  the  owners  to  keep  them  for  the 
mule-man  that  was  to  come  after  me.  By  request  I 
made  a  stop  of  five  days  at  Charleston,  much  to  the 
benefit  of  my  pocket-book. 

Through  the  influence  and  assistance  of  Mr.  Jones 
and  Dr.  Swift,  at  Atlanta,  Ga.,  I  succeeded  in  form- 
ing a  class  of  citizens  at  five  dollars  each,  which  paid 
me  for  staying  at  the  Markham  House  three  weeks. 
Mr.  Jones  was  the  largest  mule  dealer  in  this  part  of 
the  country,  and  I  can  never  forget  his  kindness  and 
that  of  Dr.  Swift.  Scores  of  vicious  horses  were  im- 
proved and  cured,  and  my  reputation  as  a  horse  edu- 
cator established  in  that  part  of  the  county  for  all 
time.  At  Macon,  Ga.,  I  fell  in  with  the  most  reckless 
driver  I  ever  rode  witli,  and  when  I  learned  that  he 
was  an  undertaker  I  thought  I  could  comprehend  his 
motive.  I  gave  him  to  understand  that  in  my  opinion 
he  came  nearer  to  my  standard  of  what  a  proper  driver 
should  be  than  any  I  had  met  with  since  leaving 
Kentucky.  At  Savannah  I  found  business  in  my  line 
good,  and  a  stable  owned  by  a  namesake  of  mine.  At 
Jacksonville,  Florida,  my  next  stopping  place,  study- 
ing the  alligator  was  the  principal  part  of  my  busi- 
ness. Though  to  me  a  very  interesting  subject,  I  found 
no  money  in  it;  yet  I  think,  in  the  rainy,  muddy  season, 
I  can  make  better  time  on  the  road  with  an  alligator 
team,  properly  educated,  than  with  horses, — with  one 
great  advantage,  and  that  is  in  regard  to  feeding  them, 
for  once  a  month  is  as  often  as  they  are  willing  to 
open  their  mouths,  even  for  a  "bit." 

At  Augusta,  Georgia,  I  was  well  patronized  in  the 
sale  of  my  books.     Until    1884  my  exhibitions   were 


38  HOW    TO    EDUCATE    HORSES. 

mostly  given  out-of-doors,  free  to  all,  trusting  to  the 
sale  of  my  books  for  compensation.  At  this  time  W. 
C.  Coup's  great  show  offered  a  counter-attraction; 
nevertheless,  I  had  sufficient  reason  to  be  vi^ell  satis- 
fied with  my  three  weeks'  work. 

TENNESSEE     AND     KENTUCKY. — TRIALS     AND     TRIUMPHS. 

Proceeding  on  my  tour,  I  arrived  in  Nashville, 
Tenn.,  sick  with  malaria,  notwithstanding  which  I 
gave  an  exhibition — although  I  had  to  drag  myself 
upstairs  by  the  banisters — for  I  was  out  of  money 
again  and  could  not  well  cease  from  struggling.  By 
this  exhibition,  money  enough  was  secured  to  carry 
me  to  Chattanooga,  where  I  was  obliged  to  put  up  my 
gold  watch  and  chain  (which  I  afterwards  redeemed) 
to  pay  the  expenses  of  being  sick.  At  Lexington,  Ky., 
I  met  many  noted  horsemen,  among  them  such  gen- 
tlemen as  General  Withers,  Colonel  West,  Messrs. 
Robert  Strader,  Woodward,  Brasfield,  Smith  and 
Coons.  At  this  place  an  Almont  mare  that  had  been 
spoiled  in  handling,  having  become  so  vicious  a  kicker 
as  to  be  perfectly  unmanageable,  was  put  into  my 
hands  by  her  owner.  General  Withers.  Knowing  the 
credit  I  would  receive  by  successfully  handling  this 
animal,  I  proposed  to  give  a  public  exhibition  in  the 
square  in  the  middle  of  the  city.  Thousands  of  people 
had  assembled;  but  just  as  I  was  about  to  commence, 
I  was  notified  by  the  authorities  that,  on  account  of  the 
immense  crowd,  it  would  be  dangerous  to  give  the 
show  in  that  place,  and  I  removed  to  the  circus  lot, 
the  entire  multitude  following.  I  was  to  handle  this 
animal  inside  of  an  hour;  on  the  expiration  of  forty-four 
minutes  I  was  driving  tiie  mare  in  a  light  wagon.  My 
name  was  on  the  tongue  of  almost  every  man  after 
that  performance,  and  for  seven  months  I  was  reaping 


LIFE   SKETCH.  39 

my  reward.  During  tliis  period  I  spent  much  of  my 
time  in  visiting  and  studying  stock  farms,  endeavoring 
to  improve,  if  possible,  my  method  of  dealing  with 
thoroughbreds. 

DOWN    AND    UP    AGAIN    IN    OHIO. 

My  next  journey  was  up  the  Ohio  river,  exhibiting 
and  lecturing  at  the  various  towns  along  that  stream. 
Every  one,  however,  seemed  more  interested  in  boats 
and  boating  than  in  horses  and  horsemanship,  so  that 
before  reaching  Cleveland,  Ohio,  most  of  my  hard 
earnings  had  disappeared.  Ill-luck  followed,  and  I 
could  not  get  an  audience.  I  was  disappointed,  but 
not  discouraged.  "  Up  and  at  them  again,"  was  my 
motto,  and  at  Cleveland  my  success  was  simply  won- 
derful. I  made  the  acquaintance,  while  there,  of  Mr. 
Perkins,  a  millionaire  stock-raiser,  and,  visiting  his 
farm,  handled  a  vicious  horse  for  him.  I  also  had 
charge  of  the  shoeing  of  the  horses  belonging  to  Mr. 
Edwards,  president  of  the  Trotting  Association. 

IN    WESTERN    PENNSYLVANIA    AND    NEW    YORK. 

My  next  move  was  to  Jamestown,  N.  Y.,  through 
Ashtabula  and  Erie.  At  Bradford  I  handled  thirteen 
horses  in  the  opera-house  and  six  at  Bolivar.  At 
Olean  a  wild  Texan  mustang,  belonging  to  John  Mc- 
Cafferty,  of  San  Antonio,  Texas,  was  brought  to  me 
by  the  owner.  This  was  the  wildest  and  most  accom- 
plished animal  in  the  knowledge  of  knowing  how  not 
to  let  any  one  succeed  in  putting  hands  on  him  out  of 
a  large  lot.  Mr.  McCafferty,  in  throwing  a  noose  on 
him  from  the  back  of  his  cow  horse,  caught  him  fairly, 
but  he  ran  on  one  side  of  a  telegraph-pole  and  drew 
and  threw  McCafferty  with  full  force,  horse  and  all, 
against  the  pole,  and  for  some  time  it  was  thought  his 


40  HOW   TO   EDUCATE    HORSES. 

injuries  would  prove  fatal.  The  mustang  was  secured, 
however,  and  taken  by  me  into  the  opera-house,  where 
a  large  audience  had  assembled.  I  stated  to  the  as- 
semblage that,  on  account  of  the  accident,  I  would 
postpone  the  lecture  for  one  night;  the  money  and 
tickets  were  returned.  The  next  evening  the  injured 
man  had  so  far  recovered  as  to  be  able  to  be  carried 
to  a  box  in  the  opera-house,  where  his  long-cherished 
wish  to  see  the  animal  subdued  and  controlled  and 
ridden  was  gratified.  Mr.  McCaiferty  is  well  known 
in  connection  with  Dr.  Carver,  of  Wild  West  fame. 

GREAT    SUCCESS    ON    LONG    ISLAND. 

On  the  15th  of  June,  i88r,  under  the  management 
of  W.  C.  Coup,  I  commenced  giving  exhibitions  in 
Brooklyn,  at  the  corner  of  Fifth  and  Flatbush  avenues, 
to  thousands  of  people.  Having  succeeded  so  well, 
and  my  business  requiring  so  much  laborious  work,  I 
was  foolish  enough  to  believe  I  could  do  just  as  well 
in  another  way  and  much  easier;  but  I  soon  found,  to 
my  sorrow,  that  I  was  not  up  to  the  show  business  and 
to  showmen's  tricks;  consequently,  I  was  soon  left 
without  a  cent  in  the  world.  Nothing  daunted,  how- 
ever, I  started  again  on  the  road,  making  my  head- 
quarters with  Mr.  John  O'Donnell,  editor  and  pro- 
prietor of  the  Jamaica.  Sfam/ard,  and  during  my  sojourn 
on  Long  Island  my  ill-luck  seemed  to  have  left  me 
completely.  I  flatter  myself,  with  good  reason,  that 
no  one  in  my  business  ever  before  met  with  such  com- 
plete and  continued  success  for  so  long  a  time  in  one 
/ocality.  Longing  for  new  fields  to  conquer,  I  adopted 
Horace  Greeley's  advice  and  went  West,  determined 
hereafter  to  stick  to  the  profession  of  which  I  was 
master,  and  through  Illinois,  Iowa,  Minnesota,  and 
Wisconsin,  as  far  as  Colorado,  my  success  exceeded 


LIFE   SKETCH.  4I 

that  of  former  years.  Working  and  pushing  harder 
than  ever  before,  I  succeeded  in  getting  back  the  money 
I  lost  in  the  show  business. 

THE    SOUTH    AGAIN. — VIRGINIA. 

Returning  from  the  West,  I  wished  for  another 
winter  in  the  South;  so,  after  a  two  weeks'  run  of  good 
luck  in  Hexamer's  Riding  Academy,  in  Hoboken,  N. 
J.,  and  in  Paterson,  I  went  to  Norfolk,  Va.,  by  water. 
At  Norfolk  I  opened  in  the  old  opera-house,  of  which 
Mr.  Taylor  has  been  manager  for  over  twenty  years. 
He  subsequently  informed  me,  in  a  congratulatory  let- 
ter, that  I  was  the  only  man,  during  all  that  time,  who 
had  succeeded  in  drawing  a  house  large  enough  to  pay 
his  expenses.  At  this  place  all  my  subjects  had  to  be 
taken  up  two  flights  of  stairs.  To  reach  Petersburg, 
myself,  my  people,  and  Blind  Billy,  had  to  ride  in 
a  common  freight-car.  At  this  place  I  gave  my  in- 
structions in  the  opera-house  for  three  nights;  I  was 
introduced  to  General  Mahone,  on  whom  I  made  a  call, 
looking  at  his  fine  place  and  stock. 

"On  to  Richmond!"  was  now  the  cry,  and  for  three 
weeks  in  the  Richmond  theatre,  to  crowded  houses,  I 
succeeded  in  drawing  money  enough  by  handling  over 
one  hundred  head  of  horses  to  barely  pay  expenses, 
according  to  my  manager's  figures.  At  Baltimore  I 
gave  my  first  free  lecture  in  front  of  the  old  Wayne 
Hotel;  afterwards,  for  ten  weeks,  under  the  Hone  litho- 
graph establishment,  at  ten  cents  admission  to  crowded 
houses.  Here  I  handled  the  well-known  "Tin-pan" 
horse,  which  required  four  lessons  before  I  got  him 
under  complete  control.  At  the  opera-house  in  Wil- 
mington, Del.,  I  handled  the  famous  "  Kindling-wood" 
horse,  named  from  his  propensity  to  make  kindling- 
wood  of  whatever  came  within  reach  of  his  heels:  his 


42  HOW   TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 

owner  was  engaged  in  the  same  business,  but  carried 
it  on  in  a  different  manner. 

DELAWARE    AND    PENNSYLVANIA    REVISITED. 

As  I  entered  the  dining-room  of  the  Laurie  House, 
at  Milford,on  the  eastern  shore  of  the  Delaware,  some 
one  uttered  the  words  '^  Oh,  there  he  is!  I  thought  he 
would  come  again,"  followed  by  a  fainting-scene  and 
the  removal  of  a  young  woman  in  the  arms  of  friends, 
which  startled  me.  At  this  time  I  wore  my  hair 
long,  under  a  wide-brimmed  hat,  as  I  had  been  in  the 
habit  of  doing  while  in  the  South  and  West.  "  What 
does  this  mean  ?"  I  inquired,  and  soon  found  I  was 
taken  for  one  "Diamond  Dick,"  so  called,  a  spurious 
Indian  herb-doctor  who  had  made  this  place  his 
headquarters  for  some  time,  claiming  to  be  able  to 
accomplish  wonderful  cures.  He  had  succeeded  not 
only  in  cheating  his  customers,  or  patients,  but  in 
deceiving  and  ruining  many  women,  and  I  failed  to 
convince  a  large  number  that  I  was  not  that  kind  of  a 
man;  but  the  fact  that  I  resembled  him  prevented  me 
from  making  this  trip  a  success  financially.  I  re- 
turned to  Wilmington,  stopping  at  the  La  Fayette 
House,  where  the  landlord,  E.  O.  Taylor,  erected 
circus-seats  in  his  yard,  in  which  I  gave  free  exhibi- 
tions for  two  weeks  to  not  less  than  two  thousand 
persons  each  evening.  The  following  will  be  a 
voucher  for  the  success  of  exhibitions  at  my  next 
stopping-place: 

[From  the  Chester,  Pa.,  Evening  News. "] 
"After  one  week's  sojourn  in  this  city,  during  which 
time  he  has   exhibited  to    large   and   intelligent  au- 
diences,   Professor    Gleason,    the    horse-trainer    and 
educator,   closed   his   engagement  here  on  Saturday 


LIFE    SKETCH.  43 

night  by  an  exhibition  at  Chester  Park.  As  was  ex- 
pected, a  large  audience  was  there  to  greet  him,  and, 
although  he  was  necessarily  obliged  to  vary  some- 
what from  the  performance  of  handling  several  horses 
at  the  one  time,  he  gave  a  very  interesting  and  enter- 
taining repetition  of  previous  performances,  and 
showed  how  easy  it  was  for  him  to  prevent  a  horse  from 
elevating  his  hind  feet,  as  some  are  often  wont  to  do. 
Two  kickers  were  used  to  demonstrate  more  clearly 
his  mode  and  method  of  operation,  one  of  which  was 
the  mustang  of  James  Burke.  Each  animal  was  driven 
around  the  circuit  several  times,  and  means  used  to 
make  him  kick  after  his  simple  but  effectual  bridle 
had  been  applied  and  tried,  but  the  animals  evinced 
but  little  inclination  to  do  so.  Before  the  exhibition 
closed,  Professor  Gleason  took  occasion  to  thank  the 
audience  for  its  patronage  and  courtesies  shown  him 
by  the  press  and  citizens  of  Chester  during  his  short 
visit.  During  an  interval  in  his  remarks  the  Pro- 
fessor was  presented  with  a  handsome  gold-mounted 
carriage-whip  on  behalf  of  the  blacksmiths  of  Ches- 
ter, as  an  expression  of  acknowledgment  for  the 
information  and  benefit  they  had  derived  by  his  com- 
ing. Mr.  Gleason  responded  in  an  appropriate  man- 
ner and  thanked  them  for  the  gift,  adding  somewhat 
humorously  that  he  had  no  expectation  of  coming  to 
the  Park  to  be  whipped.  Messrs.  Thomas  Watson 
and  William  Miller  were  chiefly  instrumental  in  pro- 
curing the  gift,  and  the  movement  was  heartily  in- 
dorsed by  all  who  have  been  benefited  and  entertained 
by  his  exhibition." 

At  West  Chester  my  exhibitions  were  given  in  the 
yards  of  the  Turk's  Head  Hotel  to  very  large  audi- 
ences, many  of  them  being  old  pupils  of  mine,  having 
joined  my  class  formed  during  a  visit  eight  years  pre- 


44  HOW    TO    EDUCATE    HORSES. 

viously.  The  reunion  was  a  happy  one  in  many  re- 
spects. Not  many  so-called  horse-trainers  feel  safe 
always  in  revisiting  scenes  of  former  pretended  vic- 
tories; but  I  have  been  to  many  the  second  and  third 
time,  only  to  find  friends. 

At  Norristown,  Pa.,  on  the  old  circus  lot,  I  made 
much  fun  during  three  evenings,  for  the  Germans, 
who  crowded  my  exhibitions,  and  were  greatly  in- 
terested in  anything  pertaining  to  horses,  of  which 
they  had  any  quantity  of  fine,  noble  fellows,  kept  in 
large  stone  barns,  better,  if  anything,  than  the  houses 
in  which  their  owners  lived.  At  Bethlehem,  back  of 
the  old  Sun  Hotel,  I  did  a  good  business.  Here  I  be- 
came acquainted  with  Mr.  Frank  Williams,  a  young 
artist,  who  afterwards  travelled  a  year  with  me,  de- 
lineating by  pictures  my  methods,  etc. 

At  Easton,  Pa.,  two  and  a  half  miles  from  the  vil- 
lage, at  Forrest-house  groves,  out  in  the  woods,  I 
drew  from  two  to  three  thousand  listeners  each  even- 
ing. Here  I  had  the  assistance  of  Mr.  W.  H.  Hall, 
better  known  as  "  Buckskin  Sam."  The  following 
item  may  be  of  interest  to  many  of  the  readers  of  my 
book: 

"Easton,  Pa. 
"To  Whom  it  May  Concern: 

"  I,  the  undersigned,  do  most  cheerfully  recommend 
Professor  Oscar  R.  Gleason  as  the  greatest  and  most 
successful  horse  educator  and  trainer  I  have  ever  met, 
from  the  following  facts:  I  am  the  owner  of  a  spirited 
sorrel  horse,  seven  years  of  age.  About  one  year  ago 
he  became  frightened  at  my  top-buggy  and  ran  away 
while  I  was  turning  down  the  top.  I  have  since  been 
unable  to  drive  him  without  blinds  on  the  bridle. 
About  one  month  ago  he  became  frightened  at  an 
umbrella,  and  from  the  effects  of  which  he  was  hardly 


LIFE   SKETCH.  45 

manageable.  I  now  wish  to  say  that  Professor  Glea- 
son  broke  tliis  horse  (in  not  more  than  twenty  minutes) 
in  the  presence  of  two  hundred  witnesses,  so  that  he 
could  be  easily  driven  with  the  utmost  safety.  I 
am  happy  to  say  that  since  that  time  I  have  driven 
tliis  horse  daily,  with  the  utmost  freedom.  I  therefore 
again  recommend  Professor  Gleason  to  any  person 
who  has  a  horse  troubled  with  like  faults.  And  for 
further  particulars  any  one  is  at  liberty  to  address 
me  at  South  Easton,  Pa.,  to  whom  I  will  give  all  in- 
formation in  reference  to  the  above  facts. 

"Yours,  T.  A.  Steiner,  J.  P." 

REACHING    SOUTHERN    NEW    YORK. 

At  AUentown,  Pa.,  the  expense  of  lighting  up  the 
grounds  of  the  Blue-stocking  Base-ball  Club  was  too 
large  for  the  receipts;  but  my  next  venture,  at  Wilkes- 
barre,  was  successful  in  drawing  a  full  attendance  for 
one  week.  Again,  at  the  Gentlemen's  Driving  Park 
in  Scranton,  I  attracted  the  largest  crowd  ever  assem- 
bled on  these  grounds  up  to  that  time,  although  Buf- 
falo Bill,  with  his  Wild  West  Show,  has  drawn  a 
larger  one  since.  I  also  did  a  fair  business  at 
Towanda,  on  the  Gentlemen's  Driving  Park;  but  at 
the  county  fair  at  Elmira,  N,  Y.,  my  next  stamping- 
ground,  the  attractions  offered  by  Buffalo  Bill,  the 
fair,  three  skating  rinks,  and  opera  house,  were  too 
much  for  the  solid  information  offered  by  me;  con- 
sequently, I  was  obliged  to  leave  this  town  about  two 
hundred  dollars  the  poorer.  At  this  time  I  made  the 
acquaintance  of  William  F.  Cody,  and  his  manager, 
John  Burke. 

At  Corning  and  at  Hornellsville  the  principal  citi- 
zens joined   in  a  very  handsome  and   complimentary 


46  HOW  to   EDUCATE   HORSES. 

testimonial  to  me,  giving  me   thanks  for  the  knowl- 
edge they  had-  derived  from  my  lectures. 

FINE    SUCCESS    IN    WESTERN    NEW    YORK. 

At  Batavia,  the  home  of  the  late  O.  S.  Pratt,  a  suc- 
cessful teacher  of  the  art  of  horsemanship,  and  well 
spoken  of  by  his  neighbors  and  others  who  had  seen 
his  methods  of  handling,  I  did  a  fair  amount  of  busi- 
ness, considering  the  weather.  From  this  place  my 
next  move  was  to  the  city  of  Buffalo. 

Hunting  around  Buffalo  for  a  place  in  which  to  ex- 
hibit, I  struck  an  abandoned  Republican  wigwam. 
Opening  there  in  very  bad  weather,  I  had  fears  of 
sharing  the  fate  of  the  previous  occupants.  Only 
thirty  people  attended  the  first  night;  but  the  next 
evening,  being  clear  and  cool,  hundreds  were  turned 
away  unable  to  gain  admittance — and  so  it  continued 
during  my  stay  of  five  weeks.  At  this  place,  among 
many  other  triumphs,  was  that  over  a  notoriously  un- 
ruly steed,  considered  by  the  horsemen  of  the  vicinity 
as  incorrigible;  but  in  my  hands  he  was  made  to  ex- 
hibit a  gentleness  and  docility  that  astonished  the 
owner  and  all  others  who  knew  the  animal's  disposi- 
tion. The  Buffalo  Courier  of  Saturday  morning, 
November  22,  1884,  contained  the  following: 

"Subduing  Vicious  Horses. — An  interesting  ex- 
position of  some  novel  yet  rational  methods  of  sub- 
duing vicious  animals  was  given  at  the  Buffalo  Re- 
publican Wigwam  last  evening  by  Professor  Oscar 
R.  Gleason,  the  noted  horse  trainer.  A  notoriously 
unruly  steed,  belonging  to  J.  J.  Sturman,  whom  some 
of  the  best  horse  trainers  of  the  country  have  de- 
clared incorrigible,  was  made  to  exhibit  a  gentleness 
and  docility  which  astonished  the  owner  and  all  who 
knew  the  animal's  disposition." 


LIFE   SKETCH.  J^ 

My  success  at  Buffalo  was  simply  wonderful,  as  I 
did  more  business  than  was  ever  before  accomplished 
by  any  one  in  my  profession — for  which  I  am  in- 
debted in  a  great  measure  to  the  friendship  and  as- 
sistance of  such  gentlemen  as  C.  J.  Hamlin  and  his 
son  William,  proprietors  of  the  Village  Stock  Farm; 
John  G.  Avery,  proprietor  of  the  Continental  Hotel; 
J.  W.  Ruger,  a  large  iron -founder;  Lytle  &  Sons, 
harness-manufacturers,  and  hundreds  of  others  whom 
I  shall  never  forget.  One  of  the  most  vicious  horses 
handled  here  was  a  valuable  trotter  belonging  to  Mr. 
Avery. 

GREAT    TRIUMPH    IN    CHICAGO. 

Being  now  a  master  of  my  profession,  thoroughly 
capable  of  giving  instruction  anywhere,  I  opened  in 
Chicago  at  Grenier's  West  Madison  Street  Garden, 
in  December,  1884,  and  for  ten  weeks,  before  crowded 
houses,  T  handled  two  hundred  and  sixteen  different 
horses,  all  of  them  vicious  or  unbroken.  Perhaps  the 
most  notorious  of  these  were  a  mare  belonging  to  the 
proprietor  of  the  Gait  House — "a  horse  composed  of 
steel  springs,  loaded  with  dynamite,"  as  the  press  of 
Chicago  termed  her — and  another  mare  belonging  to 
the  Great  Western  Lightning-rod  Co.,  which  had 
been  offered  for  sale  at  less  than  one-half  her  value, 
as  no  one  was  willing  to  risk  life  by  driving  her; 
neither  was  it  considered  possible  ever  to  so  control 
her  that  she  would  be  safe  to  drive.  But  the  day 
after  receiving  her  first  and  only  lesson,  '*Mr.  Hay- 
man  had  her  hitched  up,  and,  without  trouble,  was 
able  to  control  her  perfectly,  and  she  is  not  now  for 
sale  at  any  price."  My  prolonged  stay  in  Chicago 
was  not  only  very  profitable,  but  extremely  pleasant, 
as  will  more  fully  appear  by  a  perusal  of  the  follow- 
ing from  the  Chicago  Horseman  of  February  14,  1885: 


48  HOW  TO   EDUCATE  HORSES. 

"  Merit  Recognized. — On  Saturday  night  last,  at 
Grenier's  Garden,  Professor  Gleason  brought  a  ten 
weeks'  engagement  to  a  pleasant  close.  During  that 
period,  nightly,  he  has  lectured  on  the  horse,  educated 
him,  trained  him,  cured  him  of  evil  tricks,  and  demon- 
strated that  the  horse  is  an  intelligent  animal,  to  be 
educated,  not  abused;  to  be  trained,  not  kicked.  At 
the  conclusion  of  the  first  part  of  the  entertainment, 
Mr.  Abercrombie,  on  behalf  of  numerous  admirers, 
stepped  into  the  ring  and  in  a  few  appropriate  remarks 
presented  the  Professor  with  a  valuable  horseshoe  set 
with  diamonds.  He  leaves  Chicago  with  the  warm 
wishes  of  a  very  large  circle  of  friends  and  admirers." 

Longing  for  some  pure  country  air,  I  struck  out  from 
Chicago,  giving  at  Joliet  one  exhibition,  and  visiting 
several  small  places  in  Indiana.  Despite  bad  weather, 
snow,  and  rain,  my  lectures  were  well  attended,  and 
I  had  a  very  pleasant  time  besides.  Business  calling 
me  to  Chicago  for  two  days,  I  was  urgently  requested 
to  give  a  lecture  and  handle  some  valuable  animals, 
which  the  ownei-s  thereof  had  been  unable  to  put  into 
my  hands  during  my  previous  visit.  Consequently, 
being  promised  sufficient  remuneration  for  time  and 
trouble,  on  the  3d  of  March  more  than  twelve  hun- 
dred persons  greeted  my  appearance  in  the  arena  of 
Battery  D,  to  whom  I  gave  one  of  my  most  interest- 
ing and  satisfactory  entertainments,  vouched  for  by 
the  Chicago  Tribune  as  follows: 

"An  Expert  Horseman. — Over  twelve  hundred 
people  assembled  in  Battery  D  last  night  to  witness 
an  exhibition  of  horsemanship  as  shown  by  Professor 
Oscar  R.  Gleason.  The  floor  of  the  large  hall  had 
been  covered  with  sawdust,  and  at  the  east  end  stood 
a  score  or  more  of  animals,  each  of  which,  it  was 


LIFE   SKETCH. 


49 


alleged,  was  possessed  of  some  vicious  trait  or  bad 
habit.  The  horses  were  the  property  of  different  resi- 
dents of  Chicago,  and  none  of  them,  it  was  said,  had 
ever  been  seen  by  the  trainer  before. 

"  A  bay  mare  was  led  to  the  centre  of  the  floor,  and 
her  owner  informed  the  Professor  that  she  was  in  the 
habit  of  shying  violently  at  newspapers  or  other  light 
objects  which  the  wind  might  carry  before  her  on  the 
roadway.  Under  the  trainer's  care  the  mare  soon  un- 
derstood that  the  objects  of  which  she  had  stood  in 
fear  were  harmless,  and  coolly  walked  over  a  quantity 
of  large  white  sheets  that  had  been  thrown  upon  the 
sawdust.  A  vicious  kicker  was  quieted  soon  into  the 
gentlest  submission.  A  brown  horse  belonging  to  a 
prominent  lightning-rod  firm  was  next  led  into  the 
hall.  The  horse  was  a  *  runaway,'  and  was  declared 
unmanageable  by  its  owners.  At  the  expiration  of 
ten  minutes  an  open  umbrella  flourished  about  its 
head  did  not  disturb  the  perfect  composure  of  the 
animal,  and  he  did  not  raise  a  hoof  from  the  floor 
when  the  Professor  repeatedly  fired  a  pistol  from  the. 
animal's  back." 

BECOMES    MANAGER    OF    A    STOCK    FARM. 

During  my  visit  to  Buffalo  I  had  yielded  to  the 
solicitation  of  Mr.  C.  J.  Hamlin,  and  consented  to  be- 
come the  manager  of  his  extensive  and  valuable  stock 
farm,  for  the  purpose,  principally,  of  conducting  the 
contemplated  sale  of  thoroughbreds  the  next  spring. 
The  offer  being  one  that  I  could  not  well  refuse,  I 
bade  good-by  to  my  friends  in  Chicago,  and  on  the 
25th  of  March  I  was  installed  as  manager  of  the  Vil- 
lage Stock  Farm,  having  under  my  charge  two  hun- 
dred and  eighty  horses.  Among  them  were  Mambrino 
King,  a  stallion  for  which  Mr.  Hamlin  paid  twenty- 
4 


50 


HOW   TO    EDUCATE    HORSES. 


LIFE   SKETCH.  5  I 

five  thousand  dollars.  This  animal  was  a  magnificent 
chestnut,  sixteen  and  a  half  hands  high,  and  pro- 
nounced by  the  French  officers,  who  made  a  visit  ex- 
pressly to  see  him,  the  handsomest  horse  in  the  world. 
Also  Almont,  Jr.,  with  a  record  of  2.26.  These  two, 
as  well  as  many  others,  I  handled  and  drove  every 
day — the  jogging  alone  of  the  animals,  just  for  exer- 
cise, obliging  me  to  ride  about  seventy  miles  each  day 
in  fine  weather. 

While  in  Mr.  Hamlin's  employ  I  had  entire  charge 
of  the  sale  of  one  hundred  and  sixteen  horses  belong- 
ing to  him.  In  this  number  were  included  sixty  stall- 
ions and  about  twenty  brood  mares  with  foals  by 
their  sides.  These  all  had  to  be  taken  about  sixteen 
miles  to  the  place  of  sale,  viz.,  the  Buffalo  Driving 
Park,  the  road  crossing  no  less  than  four  railroads. 
To  repeated  inquiries  of  Mr.  Hamlin  as  to  the  way  I 
was  going  to  get  them  to  said  place,  my  reply  was: 
"  Tiiat  is  my  business.  You  may  rely  upon  my  promise 
to  have  them  all  safely  at  the  place  at  the  right  time," 
The  stallions,  of  course,  had  to  be  liandled  singly;  the 
others  were  grouped  by  fours,  and,  once  on  the  road, 
made  quite  an  array.  Mounted  on  my  favorite  saddle 
horse,  I  was,  as  required,  at  the  front,  sides,  and  rear 
of  the  column.  As  the  head  of  the  procession  neared 
the  race-track  stables,  where  the  sale  was  to  take 
place,  the  first  horses  were  made  to  hurry,  and  those 
in  the  rear  to  go  more  slowly.  Thus  I  was  enabled  to 
have  each  horse  put  separately  and  quickly  into  the 
box-stalls  or  rooms  provided.  The  owner  and  a  large 
number  of  interested  horsemen  were  present,  fearful 
of  my  ability  to  deliver  these  animals  according  to 
promise;  but  so  quickly  and  systematically  was  the 
whole  business  conducted  and  concluded,  that  hardly 
a  word  was  spoken,  except  by  myself  in  giving  orders. 


52  HOW   TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 

Tlie  sale  amounted  to  about  $40,000;  the  auctioneer 
was  Captain  Kidd. 

Subsequently,  I  received  a  very  complimentary 
letter  from  Mr.  Hamlin,  dated  July  2,  1885,  in  which 
he  says:  "  I  have  seen  you  handle  a  large  number  of 
horses,  and  consider  your  method  of  training  and  sub- 
duing vicious  animals  unsurpassed."  -Also  one  stat- 
ing that  my  "system  is  far  ahead  of  that  of  Rockwell 
and  Hurlburt;  it  is  simple,  practical,  scientific,  and  at- 
tended with  no  cruelty."  This  was  signed  by  Dr.  A. 
C.  Hoxsie,  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  James  Higgins,  F.  L.  Thur- 
ber,  J.  B.  Jebby,  M.  Conlon,  W.  A.  Buchanan,  C.  M. 
Groton,  O.  A.  Gary,  Chas.  Jacob,  Miles  Dexter,  H.  A. 
Clark,  F.  G.  Underwood,  Lewis  Strout,  R.  T.  Thomp- 
son, P.  D.  Westcott,  Thos.  H.  Smith,  B.  C.  Frazee, 
and  others.  In  this  connection  I  will  give  the  follow- 
ing letter  from  the  original  owner  of  the  one-hundred- 
thousand-dollar  famous  Broncho  horses: 

"Chicago,  I11.,/^«.  28,1885. 
"  To  THE  Public: 

"  Having  had  the  pleasure  of  witnessing  Professor 
Oscar  R.  Gleason's  marvellous  feats  of  horsemanship 
at  Grenier's  Madison  Street  Garden,  in  this  city,  and 
seeing  him  educate  some  very  vicious  horses,  I  con- 
sider him  the  most  expert  horse-educator  I  have  seen 
for  years. 

"Truly  yours,  W.  C.  Coup." 

RETURN     TO    LECTURING    AND    EXHIBITING. 

Managing  a  stock  farm,  I  found,  was  not  the  busi- 
ness for  Oscar  R.  Gleason;  consequently,  about  July, 
1885,  I  concluded  to  return  to  a  position  in  which  I 
could  impart  to  the  masses  the  information  I  had 
acquired  by  nearly  ten  years  of  patient  research  and 


LIFE   SKETCH. 


53 


practice.  On  the  last  day  of  my  stay  at  East  Aurora, 
I  gave  a  lecture  to  my  neighbors,  acquaintances,  and 
residents  thereabouts,  which  numbered  on  this  occa- 
sion over  three  thousand.  The  five-acre  paddock  in 
which  I  gave  the  exhibition  was  filled  and  the  fences 
were  completely  lined;  no  such  business  was  ever  done 
before  in  this  place  by  the  store,  hotel  and  stable 
keepers.  I  sold  all  the  books  I  had,  besides  having 
money  forced  on  me  to  pay  for  more  when  I  should 
be  able  to  deliver  them.  After  spending  a  week  in 
the  small  towns  of  Erie  County,  I  located  for  three 
weeks  at  the  Genesee  Falls  Park,  in  Rochester,  hand- 
ling a  large  number  of  horses. 

Afterwards,  by  request,  I  gave  at  Buffalo  Riding 
Park,  four  miles  outside  the  city,  an  exhibition  to  over 
seventeen  hundred  persons,  and  was  to  repeat  it  the 
next  day;  it  proved  unpleasant,  however,  and  I  post- 
poned the  exhibition  to  the  first  fair  day.  I  was  in- 
formed I  could  not  get  an  audience  sq  far  from  the 
city  to  a  postponed  entertainment;  but  at  three  o'clock 
P.M.  over  nineteen  hundred  people  showed  by  their 
attendance  that  my  lectures  were  an  exception  to  all 
established  rules.  At  Niagara  Falls,  instead  of  being 
listened  to,  I  listened,  giving  my  time  entirely  to 
viewing  this  wonderful  exhibition  of  immensity.  My 
assistant,  who  was  a  Canadian  by  birth,  advocated  a 
visit  to  the  Indian  reservation  at  Lewiston,  where  I 
was  regarded  as  a  great  curiosity  by  an  audience 
composed  entirely  of  Indians,  who  were  greatly  inter- 
ested in  my  lecture  and  exhibition. 

A    CANADA    CAMPAIGN 

From  this  place  I  went  to  Hamilton,  Ontario,  via 
St.  Catherines.  At  Hamilton  I  encountered  the  most 
vicious  horse  I  had  ever  met  with,  belonging  to  Mr, 


54  HOW    TO    EDUCATE    HORSES. 

John  Lottage  of  Stony  Creek,  It  took  five  men  with 
poles  and  straps  to  lead  him  to  Hamilton.  He  had 
mangled  his  keeper's  arm  so  that  it  was  ever  after  use- 
less. The  result  of  one  hour's  training  by  me  was  that 
he  became  perfectly  docile,  following  me  around  the 
ring,  obeying  my  commands  with  apparent  relish  and 
delight.  I  afterwards  drove  this  horse  in  a  skeleton 
wagon  at  the  Stony  Creek  agricultural  fair.  One  en- 
tire month  of  my  time  was  occupied  in  giving  free  ex- 
hibitions at  the  various  fairs  throughout  Canada — sell- 
ing five  thousand  four  hundred  copies  of  my  work  on 
horses  and  horsemanship.  Going  to  Toronto,  I  opened 
in  the  old  Riding  Academy,  where  I  continued  for  two 
weeks.  One  day  I  had  in  my  audience  Professor  Gold- 
win  Smith  and  three  hundred  and  sixteen  students  of 
the  Ontario  College — in  fact,  so  many  that  the  seats 
erected  for  their  use  gave  way,  bringing  them  all  to 
the  ground.  Happily  no  one  was  hurt.  One  very 
pleasing  incident  in  my  Toronto  visit  is  explained  in 
the  following  communication,  brought  out  by  my 
efforts  to  instruct  all  in  regard  to  the  importance  of 
proper  and  careful  shoeing: 

"Toronto,  iVc-z/.  12,  1885. 

"  Sir — On  behalf  of  some  of  the  horse  owners  of  the 
city  of  Toronto,  I  take  the  opportunity  to  present  you 
with  this  purse,  as  a  small  token  of  esteem.  We  hope 
your  efforts  have  been  successful  to  enlighten  the 
people  and  establish  here  the  many  benefits  derivable 
from  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  horse,  and  how  to 
handle  and  train  him,  as  so  ably  explained  by  you  in 
your  lectures.  Hoping  your  stay  in  Toronto  has  been 
beneficial,  we  trust  your  course  may  be  as  prosperous 
in  the  future.  Alex.   Manning,  Mayor. 

"To  Prof.  O.  R.  Gleason," 


LIFE   SKETCH.  55 

At  Indian  Bush,  eighteen  miles  from  Hamilton,  I 
delivered  a  lecture  at  the  agricultural  fair  before  an 
audience  composed  wholly  of  Indians,  the  horses 
handled  belonging  wholly  to  them.  My  next  stop  was 
made  at  the  London  Ice-skating  Rink,  one  and  a  half 
miles  out  of  town.  Notwithstanding  the  distance, 
crowded  houses  greeted  me  every  evening  for  a  week. 
The  admission  was  twenty-five  cents,  and  large  num- 
bers of  my  books  were  sold.  While  in  Canada  I  lec- 
tured to  more  people  and  sold  more  books  than  all 
others  of  my  profession  combined.  At  the  agricul- 
tural fairs  I  was  brought  in  contact,  as  a  lecturer,  with 
over  five  thousand  men  every  day.  Some  of  my  most 
interested  listeners,  while  in  Toronto,  were  the  follow- 
ing well  known  gentlemen:  S.J.  Dixon;  Davis  &  Bros., 
brewers;  Robert  Davis;  William  Howke,  editor  of 
X\\Q  Evening  Telegraph  J  the  proprietor  of  the  American 
House,  and  a  host  of  others. 

FROM  CANADA  TO  NEW  ENGLAND. 

Bidding  farewell  to  Canada,  I  took  the  train  for  Al- 
bany, N.  Y.,  where,  after  seeking  three  days  for  a  suit- 
able place  in  which  to  deliver  my  lecture,  I  was 
obliged  to  leave  without  an  opportunity  to  enlighten 
the  Albanians  on  the  subject  of  horsemanship.  Going 
to  the  city  of  Hudson,  I  met  many  old  pupils  of  mine 
who  belonged  to  a  class  formed  there  about  nine  years 
previously.  This  time  I  formed  another  and  larger 
class  at  two  dollars  each  and  remained  four  days.  At 
Stanwix  Hall,  in  Chatham,  I  remained  one  week,  hand- 
ling the  most  vicious  mustang  ever  tackled  by  me — in 
fact,  the  only  one  I  ever  knew  able  to  burst  a  saddle  and 
throw  my  assistant,  John  McKeown,  up  among  the 
rafters;  when  he  struck  the  ground  the  animal  stood 
looking  at  him  in  amazement,  if  not  with  pleasure. 


56  HOW   TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 

At  Pittsfield,  Mass.,  I  found  I  had  been  preceded  by 
a  man  using  my  name,  who  had  so  deluded  and  de- 
ceived the  people  that  I  found  I  had  better  post- 
pone my  intended  course  of  lectures.  At  Westfield, 
also,  I  made  my  second  visit.  The  weather  being  in- 
tensely cold,  I  opened  at  the  opera  house,  selling  three 
hundred  of  my  books  at  one  dollar  each.  I  found 
many  of  my  old  pupils  at  this  place,  as  well  as  many 
changes  during  nine  years.  At  Springfield  I  gave  a 
free  exhibition  at  Henry  &  Marsh's  stable,  and  formed 
the  largest  class  ever  in  existence  in  the  place,  upwards 
of  six  hundred  members.  I  gave  two  or  three  lectures 
per  week  for  three  weeks,  and  also  lectured  at  Holyoke 
and  Chicopee.  In  going  to  Hartford,  I  followed  a  man 
in  my  profession  who,  although  a  good  horseman  per- 
haps, could  not  gain  public  confidence.  This  preju- 
diced the  people  against  my  profession,  and  conse- 
quently the  expenses  of  a  four-in-hand,  rent  of  store, 
printing,  etc.,  were   barely 'defrayed  by  the  receipts. 

NOTABLE    SUCCESS    IN     BOSTON. 

I  now  made  my  first  visit,  unknown  and  unheralded, 
to  Boston,  the  capital  of  my  native  State.  I  hired 
the  old  Boston  Riding  Academy,  1209  Washington 
Street,  and  informed  the  public  by  hand-bills  who  I 
was,  and  what  I  intended  to  do.  The  building  had 
not  been  used  for  three  or  four  years;  the  gas-pipes 
and  burners  were  badly  rusted,  and  the  tan  with  which 
the  floor  was  covered  was  so  dry  and  fine  that  on  my 
opening  night,  as  the  horses  were  brought  into  the 
ring,  I  was  almost  hidden  from  sight  of  my  audience 
by  the  poor  light  and  the  tan-dust;  yet  I  convinced 
those  present  of  what  I  was  capable,  and  that  my  horse- 
manship was  not  a  name  merely.  The  next  day  (Jan. 
30,  1886)  the  following  complimentary  notice  appeared 


LIFE   SKETCH.  57 

in  the  editorial  columns  of  the  Boston  Traveller^  written 
by  a  gentleman  who  saw  me  for  the  first  time  on  my 
opening  night: 

TRAINING    HORSES. 

''''Editor  of  the  Traveller. — To  show  that  my  opinion 
relative  to  the  training  of  horses  should  be  worth 
something,  I  will  relate  several  of  my  experiences.  I 
was  the  raiser  and  trainer  of  many  fine  horses,  among 
them  the  war-stallion  of  Major  Griswold,  colonel  of 
the  Fifty-sixth  Massachusetts  Regiment,  which  horse, 
for  docility,  style,  and  endurance,  could  not,  in  my 
mind,  be  surpassed  by  any  horse  of  the  present  day.. 
I  was  also  the  trainer  of  the  gelding  Lion,  a  horse 
that  was  the  pride  of  Brigade  Quartermaster  Rich- 
ardson of  the  Thirty-third  Regiment  of  Massachu- 
setts Volunteers,  and  afterwards  the  property  of  Gen- 
eral Smith  of  the  Ohio  brigade,  by  whom  it  was 
valued  at  its  weight  in  gold.  These  horses,  with  many 
others,  were  raised  in  Worcester  County,  and  made  as 
good  an  appearance  the  first  time  they  were  driven 
as  most  horses  do  under  different  ways  of  breaking  in 
after  years. 

"  I  also  trained  and  rode  for  seven  years  the  beauti- 
ful gray  on  which  ex-Governors  Rice  and  Long  ap- 
peared at  muster  at  Framingham,  and  on  wliich  the  lat- 
ter appeared  the  17th  of  September  at  the  liead  of  the 
militia  of  the  State,  and  at  the  review  of  the  visiting 
New  York  regiments  the  next  day  on  the  common. 
Complimentary  notices  of  the  'superb  mount '  of  the 
Governor  appeared  in  all  the  papers  of  the  day. 

**  I  selected  and  trained  the  noble  horse  that  was  the 
direct  cause  of  the  capture  of  Payne,  who  was  hanged 
at  Washington  for  the  attempted  assassination  of  Sec- 
retary Seward,     The  writer,  then  assistant  adjutant 


58  HOW    TO   EDUCATE    HORSES. 

general,  was  enabled  by  this  trusty  animal,  whose 
powers  of  endurance  and  speed  were  wonderful,  to 
have  men  placed  in  the  rifle  pits  in  and  around  Wash- 
ington so  quickly  that  when  Payne  attempted  to  pass 
the  lines  he  was  captured.  This  capture  was  due  to 
the  speed  of  this  beautiful  steed  as  much  as  to  the 
men  who  directly  stopped  his  passing  the  lines.  I 
liave  seen  the  methods  employed  in  breaking  and 
training  horses  in  California  in  the  early  days  of  that 
State,  and  have  of  late  been  very  much  interested  in 
the  works  of  Professor  Gleason  at  the  Boston  Riding 
Academy,  and  I  feel  confident  of  being  able  to  judge  ac- 
curately of  the  value  of  his  lessons.  Should  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Society  for  the  Prevention  of  Cruelty  to 
Animals  make  arrangements  whereby  Professor  Glea- 
son can  lecture  and  impart  his  knowledge  and  views 
of  training  to  the  outside  world,  they  would  do  a  work 
which  would  benefit  a  great  many. 

"  A  few  evenings  since  I  saw  a  fine,  high-spirited  and 
nervous  horse  under  the  care  of  Professor  Gleason, 
and  he  so  thoroughly  controlled  the  animal  that  an 
umbrella  could  be  opened  by  the  rider  upon  his  back, 
while  pieces  of  paper,  and  even  the  firing  of  a  pistol, 
did  not  frighten  the  animal  in  the  least.  By  means 
of  a  brief  training  by  Professor  Gleason,  another  horse, 
which  was  known  as  an  inveterate  kicker,  was  so 
thoroughly  subjugated  that  several  tin  pans  were  at- 
tached to  his  tail,  and  no  notice  was  taken  of  them 
by  the  animal. 

"  I  have  no  pecuniary  interest  whatever  in  Professor 
Gleason;  but  after  witnessing  his  successful  experi- 
ments I  cannot  refrain  from  calling  to  them  the  atten- 
tion of  the  public,  hoping  that  the  horse  may  be  the 
gainer. 

"George  P.  Richardson." 


LIFE   SKETCH.  59 

The  following  is  from  the  Boston  Herald : 

KICKING   HORSES  SUCCESSFULLY  BROKEN  AT    THE    EQUINE 
SCHOOL  BEFORE  A  LARGE  AUDIENCE. 

"An  equine  school  in  Boston  is  something  of  a  nov- 
elty, and  that  such  a  school  is  in  existence  is  not  as 
commonly  known  as  it  should  be,  especially  by  own- 
-ers  of  vicious  horses.  Last  evening  a  large  audience 
assembled  in  what  was  formerly  the  Boston  Riding 
Academy,  at  1209  Washington  Street,  to  witness  Pro- 
fessor Oscar  R.  Gleason  demonstrate  his  principles  of 
subduing  refractory  animals,  and  making  a  kicking 
horse  in  a  few  hours'  time  as  docile  as  a  lamb.  The 
Professor's  first  subject  was  a  kicking  horse,  which  is 
well  known  among  the  horsemen  of  this  city  as  being  a 
particularly  vicious  brute,  and  a  terror  to  the  black- 
smiths who  have  been  intrusted  to  keep  her  feet  prop- 
erly shod.  When  first  led  into  the  sawdust  arena,  the 
approach  of  any  individual  within  ten  feet  of  the  ani- 
mal was  a  signal  for  her  to  let  drive,  with  all  the 
force  she  could  muster,  with  both  hind  feet.  Professor 
Gleason  first  put  on  her  head  what  he  terms  his  Eureka 
bridle,  consisting  of  a  common  piece  of  clothes-line 
about  ten  feet  in  length,  arranged m  a  peculiar  manner, 
so  that  he  has  perfect  control  of  the  animal;  then  a 
strap  was  buckled  around  her  fore  feet,  under  the  fet- 
locks, in  which  a  ring  was  fastened,  a  rope  passed 
through  the  ring,  thence  through  another  one  in  a  sur- 
cingle; and  every  time  the  animal  attempted  to  kick,  a 
quick  jerk  on  the  rope  would  bring  her  on  to  her  fore 
knees.  After  being  brought  to  a  kneeling  position  a 
score  or  more  times,  she  finally  concluded  that  it 
didn't  pay  to  be  a  kicker,  and  trotted  around  the  circle 
as  calmly  as  a  man  in  rubber  boots  would  step  on  to  a 
crosswalk  in  one  of  our  flooded  streets.     So  much  was 


6o  now   TO    EDUCATE   HORSES. 

tlie  animal  under  tlie  control  of  Professor  Gleason  that 
without  a  saddle  or  br'dle  he  rode  her  around  the  ring 
with  tin  pans  tied  to  her  tail,  opened  and  closed  an  um- 
brella, fired  a  revolver,  and  finally,  after  alighting,  he 
raised  her  feet  and  went  through  the  motion  of  shoe- 
ing; and  although  he  had  never  touched  the  animal 
previous  to  her  appearance  in  the  ring,  she  was  as 
tractable  a  beast  as  one  would  desire  to  handle.  The 
second  subject  was  a  large,  sorrel  work-horse,  and  he 
in  turn  was  treated  in  like  manner.  To-night  Pro- 
fessor Gleason  will  lecture  on  the  shoeing  of  horses  in 
connection  with  his  school." 

Another  notice  in  a  Boston  paper  is  as  follows: 

THE    HORSE-TRAINING    SCHOOL. 

"  The  value  of  the  course  of  lectures  now  being 
given  by  Professor  Oscar  R.  Gleason  at  the  Boston 
Riding  Academy,  No.  1209  Washington  Street,  to 
horse  owners,  shoers,  drivers,  and  hostlers,  is  appar- 
ently fully  appreciated,  for  night  after  night  the  same 
attentive  faces  are  riveted  upon  every  movement  of 
the  Professor  and  his  assistant.  Of  the  130  animals 
handled  by  Professor  Gleason  in  public  while  in  this 
city,  most  of  them  have  been  converted  from  vicious, 
worthless  brutes  to  docile  and  valuable  servants,  and 
in  every  case  a  marked  improvement  has  been  effected 
by  even  one  lesson  of  less  than  one  hour.  The  value 
of  kind  treatment  to  the  dumb  animal  is  so  effectually 
shown  in  all  of  Professor  Gleason's  lectures  that,  to 
use  the  words  of  many  of  his  visitors,  '  he  is  a  society  in 
himself  for  the  prevention  of  cruelty  to  animals.'  The 
use  of  the  check-rein  is  so  pernicious,  in  his  opinion 
(except,  perhaps,  wliile  a  horse  is  travelling  very  fast), 
that  he  allows  no  opportunity  to  condemn  it  to  pass  by 
unimproved,  and  the  useless  custom  of  cutting   and 


LIFE   SKETCH.  6 1 

rasping  the  hoof  by  so-called  shoers  is  severely  cen- 
sured. In  order  to  more  effectually  show  and  ex- 
plain his  method  of  drawing  the  animal  by  the  eye, 
and  of  approaching  a  colt  or  vicious  animal  at  large, 
about  four  hundred  square  feet  of  space  have  been 
inclosed  by  a  movable  fence,  and  last  evening  the 
audience  found  it  occupied  by  a  beautiful  bay  horse 
that  had  become  very  wild  and  unmanageable  by 
breaking,  never  having  been  ridden  or  driven.  When 
first  brought  in  the  animal  fairly  squealed  from  fright 
and  anger.  Within  ten  minutes  the  Professor  had 
him  completely  under  subjection,  without  rope  or 
strap,  and  following  closely  the  Professor  in  all  his 
movements,  showing  no  trace  of  fear  or  anger.  A 
stranger  was  called  from  the  audience,  the  horse  fol- 
lowing him  as  closely  and  willingly  as  he  had  the 
Professor." 

Although  the  weather  was  fearful  (raining,  snowing, 
or  intensely  cold  nearly  all  the  time)  for  the  first  three 
weeks,  I  attracted  a  class  of  over  twelve  hundred  per- 
sons, who  every  evening  watched  all  my  movements, 
listening  intently  to  my  words.  I  had  some  of  the 
best  subjects  that  the  most  sceptical  could  wish  to 
see  handled  (the  superintendent  of  the  Metropolitan 
Horse  Railroad  furnishing  quite  a  number),  which 
pleased  my  audience  much,  as  well  as  taxed  my  abili- 
ties; but  by  completely  and  thoroughly  subduing, 
controlling,  handling,  riding  and  driving  each  and 
every  animal,  perfect  satisfaction  was  evidently  given 
to  all  present. 

The  officers  of  the  Massachusetts  Society  for  the 
Prevention  of  Cruelty  to  Animals  were  on  hand,  eager 
to  detect  and  stop  any  act  bordering  on  cruelty;  but 
with  nothing  could  fault  be  found,  except  by  two  too 
utterly  tender-hearted  specimens  of  humanity,  out  of 


62  HOW   TO   EDUCATE    HORSES. 

an  audience  of  over  twelve  hundred  present  at  the 
same  exhibition.  These  two  thought  that  the  throw- 
ing or  laying  down  of  a  peculiarly  vicious  and  useless 
although  beautiful  animal,  which  groaned  (not  from 
pain,  however,  but  from  sheer  ugliness,  or  from  rage 
caused  by  the  realization  of  the  fact  that  he  was  mas- 
tered, giving  me  at  the  same  time  a  savage  grip  on 
tlie  leg,  only  the  thickness  of  my  boot  preventing  se- 
rious injury),  was  cruel.  During  these  three  weeks  I 
gave  the  entire  receipts  of  two  of  my  evening  per- 
formances to  this  Society,  for  which  the  following  is 
a  voucher: 

"  Resolved,  by  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Mas- 
sachusetts Society  for  the  Prevention  of  Cruelty  to 
Animals,  that  their  thanks  be  hereby  given  to  Pro- 
fessor Oscar  R.  Gleason  for  his  generous  donations  to 
our  Society. 

"Joseph  L,  Stevens,  Secretary'" 

Among  tlie  subjects  handled  by  me  here  was  a  vi- 
cious, ugly  stallion.  He  had  been  so  tormented  and 
abused  that  he  had  come  to  look  upon  every  man  as 
an  enemy  that  he  must  fight  and  destroy.  I  had  him 
placed  in  a  pen  erected  in  the  centre  of  the  ring,  with- 
out even  a  halter  on  his  head,  and  after  my  audience 
was  quiet  I  entered  the  pen.  No  sooner  was  I  faiily 
alone  with  him  than  at  me  he  came  on  the  jump, 
mouth  open,  and  ears  back.  Quickly  giving  him  a 
severe  blow  on  the  nose,  he  paused,  but  only  for  an 
instant.  At  me  again,  this  time  intending  to  strike 
me.  Dodging,  I  hit  him  again  on  the  nose.  He 
whirled  about  this  time,  evidently  intending  to  drive 
me  out  with  his  heels.  Now  giving  him  a  sharp  cut 
around  the  hind  legs  with  my  whip,  he  quickly  turned 


LIFE    SKETCH.  63 

his  head  towards  me;  as  he  did  so,  I  held  out  my  hand 
and  said,  "  Come  here,  sir!"  at  the  same  time  approach- 
ing him.  He  allowed  me  to  touch  his  head,  his  ears, 
neck,  etc.  I  patted  him,  he  evidently  liked  it;  I  talked 
to  him,  but  did  not  hurt  him.  He  had  learned  that  one 
man  at  least  could  come  near  and  not  hurt  him;  he 
liad  also  learned  if  he  turned  his  heels  towards  me  he 
got  hurt.  In  less  than  ten  minutes  he  was  following 
me  like  a  dog,  his  head  close  to  me,  turning  to  the  riglit 
and  left  and  stopping  as  I  did.  I  placed  a  halter  on 
him — I  had  taught  him  I  was  his  friend.  Now,  to 
show  that  I  w^as  master  and  his  superior,  I  had  a 
wrestle  with  him.  With  his  off  forefoot  secured  he 
struggled  determinedly;  but  no  use,  he  had  to  come 
down.  Stretched  at  full  length,  and  finding  it  impos- 
sible to  rise,  he  gave  up  completely.  '^  You  are  my 
boss,  and  I  know  you  will  not  hurt  me,"  he  said  by 
his  actions.  No  tin  pans,  bells,  fire-crackers,  pistol,  or 
drum  had  any  fears  for  him.  When  he  got  up  he 
plainly  showed  conversion.  I  harnessed  and  drove 
him  without  any  trouble,  and  handed  him  over  to  his 
owner  converted  from  a  wicked,  ugly,  useless  brute 
into  a  willing,  valuable  servant.  His  owner  subse- 
quently brought  the  animal  to  one  of  my  evening  en- 
tertainments, driving  and  handling  him  with  perfect 
safety  and  ease. 

On  my  arrival  I  had  considerable  trouble  in  finding 
enough  bad  horses  for  subjects;  but  after  twelve 
weeks,  exhibiting  every  evening,  during  the  time 
handling  each  evening,  with  one  exception,  from 
three  to  five  horses,  I  had  enough  on  my  hands  to 
last  two  weeks  at  least.  The  only  animal  I  found 
here  on  which  I  had  to  bestow  one  entire  evening's 
work  was  a  large,  fine-looking  Western  horse.  As 
soon  as  I  attempted  to  put  my  hand  on  him,  I  informed 


64  HOW   TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 

the  owner,  who  was  present,  that  he  was  a  very  bad 
horse,  and  there  was  great  danger  in  handling  him — 
not  danger  only  to  the  animal,  but  to  myself;  but  if 
he  would  take  the  risk  on  the  horse,  I  would  on  my- 
self. His  manly  reply  was,  "  Go  ahead."  It  was 
with  great  difficulty  I  succeeded  in  throwing  him  by 
the  use  of  my  double  safety  rope,  and  after  getting  him 
down,  had  him,  as  I  supposed,  thoroughly  secured; 
when,  bursting  apart  the  strong  surcingle  I  had  around 
him,  and  one  of  the  straps  around  his  foot,  he  sprang 
at  once  to  his  feet,  fairly  elated  at  his  supposed  vic- 
tory. Going  to  work  in  a  different  way,  I  again  laid 
him  down,  and,  fairly  tying  his  feet  to  his  body,  I 
subjected  him  to  my  tin-pan,  whip,  bells,  drum,  and 
pistol  test,  afterwards  driving  him  successfully,  not, 
however,  before  he  had  kicked  severely  one  of  my 
assistants.  This  animal  subsequently,  and  before  the 
audience,  had  shoes  placed  on  his  hind  feet  for  the 
first  time  in  his  life.  Horseshoers  came  from  all 
parts  of  the  city  to  see  what  they  claimed  to  be  an 
impossibility. 

While  here  one  man  asserted  that  he  had  used  my 
Eureka  bridle  twenty  years  ago.  I  offered  him,  be- 
fore my  audience,  one  dollar  if  he  would  come  into 
the  ring  and  put  it  on  a  horse.  He  hesitated;  I  in- 
creased the  offer  to  five,  when  he  placed  what  he  called 
my  bridle  upon  an  animal.  I  then  had  another  horse 
brought  in  to  the  ring  and  had  one  of  my  assistants  put 
my  Eureka  on  him.  Calling  upon  a  gentleman  who 
happened  to  be  present,  and  who  had  seen  me  use 
this  bridle  nearly  ten  years  ago  at  Philadelphia,  with- 
out looking  at  either  bridle  myself,  to  say  which  of 
the  two  was  mine,  he  quickly  decided.  There  was 
really  no  resemblance  between  the  two.     The  boaster, 


LIFE   SKETCH.  65 

a  celebrated   (?)   corn  doctor,  found  occasion  soon  to 
leave  the  room,  rather  chagrined. 

My  visit  to  Boston  was  one  of  the  most  pleasing  in 
my  experience  as  a  horseman.  On  one  of  the  first 
evenings  I  discovered  in  the  audience  my  old  instruc- 
tor, the  one  from  whom  I  first  derived  the  idea  of 
giving  horse  lectures.  After  attending  as  a  member 
one  of  his  classes,  and  seeing  the  money  he  was  taking 
in,  I  determined  to  follow  in  his  footsteps.  'This  was 
Mr.  C.  H.  C.  Williams,  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Rock- 
well, Hurlburt  &  Williams.  I  invited  him  to  come 
again  the  next  evening,  which  he  promised  to  do. 
The  next  day  I  purchased  a  valuable  gold-headed 
cane,  had  it  engraved  with  his  name,  and  on  the  next 
evening,  February  2d,  I  presented  it  with  great  pleas- 
ure, using  the  following  language: 

"  Ladies  and  Gentlemen: — Ten  years  ago  I,  a 
Worcester  County  boy,  had  an  opportunity  of  attend- 
ing a  course  of  lessons  on  the  training  of  horses  given 
by  C.  H.  C.  Williams,  of  the  firm  of  Rockwell,  Hurlburt 
&  Williams.  To-night  my  first  instructor  in  the  art  is 
present,  and  I  take  great  pleasure  in  presenting  to  him 
this  cane  as  a  token  of  my  regard  for  him  as  a  man 
and  as  an  instructor,  with  the  hope  that  it  may  be  of  as 
much  assistance  to  him  on  the  descending  road  of  life 
as  his  lessons  and  instructions  have  been  to  me  on  my 
ascending  one." 

Professor  Williams  replied  as  follows: 

"  Ladies  and  Gentlemen: — This  is  a  complete  sur- 
prise to  me.  I  have  been  present  for  two  evenings, 
and  am  much  pleased  with  the  great  success  of  a 
former  pupil  of  mine.  I  am  convinced  that  Mr.  Glea- 
son  has  well  and  thoroughly  learned  what  I  always 
5 


^  HOW  TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 

tried  to  impart  to  my  pupils,  viz.,  that  before  being 
able  to  handle  and  control  a  horse  successfully,  first 
be  able  to  control  and  handle  yourself.  Mr.  Gleason, 
I  accept  with  pleasure  this  beautiful  gold-headed  cane, 
and  thank  you  heartily  for  the  same." 

Professor  Williams  afterwards  gave  an  exhibition 
with  his  trick  mare  Topsy,  much  to  the  gratification  of 
my  large  audience.  This  mare  had  not  been  called 
upon  to  perform  for  a  number  of  years,  yet  she  went 
through  with  the  performance  as  well  as  if  she  had 
been  in  practice  all  the  time.  The  number  of  my 
regular  class  members  was  now  so  large,  in  addition 
to  the  evening  twenty-five  cent  admission  ticket-hold- 
ers, that  I  was  obliged  to  seek  a  place  which  afforded 
more  and  better  seats  for  my  audiences;  and  on  the 
evening  of  March  22d,  at  the  Highland  Rink  on  Shaw- 
mut  Avenue,  at  least  twenty-five  hundred  persons, 
fully  one  third  of  whom  were  ladies,  greeted  my  eye 
as  I  entered  the  extensive  arena.  The  ring  was  of 
such  a  size  that  seven  and  one-half  times  around  it 
made  a  mile.  This  picturesque  ampitheatre,  lighted 
with  electricity,  fitted  up  with  a  steam  whistle  with 
which  to  test  my  subjects,  was  all  that  could  be  wished, 
as  also  was  my  success.  I  have  in  my  possession  a 
very  complimentary  testimonial  signed  by  upwards 
of  one  thousand  of  those  who  had  not  only  seen  my 
exhibition,  but  approved  my  method  or  system,  and 
my  practical  manner  of  illustrating  all  I  professed  to 
teach.  Upon  this  long  list  appear  the  names  of 
Messrs.  Hibbard,  Dr.  Blackwell,  A.  W.  Davis,  Snow 
Bros.  &  Richardson,  J.  J.  Manson,  B.  Whitcomb, 
Dr.  Foster  Delano,  J.  J.  Bower,  John  Trout,  J.  J.  Ha- 
zeltine,  W.  H.  Peters,  J.  C.  Warner,  G.  W.  King, 
Mr.  Whiting,  and  others. 


LIFE   SKETCH.  67 

In  Boston  I  handled  about  three  hundred  horses^ 
more  than  any  and  all  of  my  profession  combined, 
had  ever  even  thought  of  doing,  notwithstanding  the 
spiteful  attempt  of  one  man,  who  sought  to  inter- 
fere and  prevent  the  great  triumph  I  was  destined  to 
achieve,  by  flooding  the  city  with  hand-bills  during 
my  stay.  But  all  his  abortive  attempts  only  tended 
to  increase  my  popularity,  causing  gentlemen  from 
distant  parts  of  the  country,  who  had  seen  my  sys- 
tem exemplified,  and  appreciated  my  endeavors  to 
put  before  all  the  benefit  of  my  experience,  to  rally 
around  me,  ready  to  give  battle  in  my  behalf  against 
any  and  all  would-be  defamers  and  pretended  horse 
breakers  or  tamers.  While  here  I  was  pleased  as  well 
as  surprised  to  find  what  a  large  number  of  aunts  and 
cousins,  and  other  relations,  I  had,  and  in  truth  al- 
most forgotten,  for  during  the  ten  years  of  my  hard 
but  successful  struggle  I  had  not  been  under  the  pa- 
ternal roof  once.  It  is  with  great  pleasure  I  state  that 
I  have  the  names  of  a  host  of  my  friends  who  presented 
me  while  in  Boston  with  a  most  beautiful  and  valua- 
ble gold  Howard  watch,  English  riding  whip,  etc. 

ADVENT    AND    SUCCESS    IN    NEW    YORK. 

My  opening  in  New  York  had  been  fully  announced 
in  the  daily  papers  by  my  Managers,  Messrs  Lovecraft 
and  Burnham,  who  had  secured  for  the  opening  night 
at  Cosmopolitan  Hall,  corner  41st  Street  and  Broad- 
way, the  man-eating  stallion  Rysdyk  of  Montreal, 
Canada,  which  had  killed  his  groom  in  the  stall  on 
April  nth,  besides  biting  two  others  and  his  owner, 
W.  H.  Kimball.  This  horse  had  been  shipped  by  ex- 
press from  Montreal  on  Friday,  the  i6th,  arriving  in 
New  York  on  Sunday,  the  i8th.  I  gave  the  stallion 
his  first  lesson  on  Monday  evening  before  a  crowded 


6S 


HOW   TO   EDUCATE  HORSES. 


LIFE   SKETCH.  69 

house,  and  on  Tuesday  I  put  him  into  an  enclosure 
twenty-four  feet  square,  witliout  a  strap  or  rope  on 
him.  The  house  was  crowded  to  suffocation,  the 
doors  being  closed  at  8.15.  When  I  entered  the  en- 
closure with  the  stallion,  you  could  have  heard  a  pin 
drop,  the  owner  saying  that  "no  man  would  ever 
come  out  alive  that  went  into-  such  a  place  with 
Rysdyk."  In  twenty-three  minutes  I  put  a  halter  on 
him  and  led  him  out  of  the  enclosure,  though  not  with- 
out two  very  narrow  escapes — he  having  bitten  me  on 
the  arm  and  also  on  the  left  side  of  my  chest,  taking 
out  quite  a  piece  of  flesh  and  the  wound  bleeding 
quite  freely.  The  next  night  I  made  the  stallion  do  a 
few  tricks  before  the  audience,  such  as  standing  on  a 
box  with  one  fore-foot  and  holding  'the  other  up  and 
putting  it  down  at  the  word  of  command;  also  tilting 
on  a  plank  raised  two  and  a  half  feet  from  the  ground. 
I  next  made  him  follow  a  stranger  round  the  arena 
like  a  dog.  On  Thursday  afternoon  I  drove  him  on 
the  Boulevard  (it  having  been  said  this  horse  was  dan- 
gerous to  drive  on  the  road),  and  had  the  stallion  and 
myself  photographed.  On  Friday  the  stallion  W2\s 
shipped  back  to  Montreal. 

In  conclusion,  I  was  very  agreeably  surprised  by 
the  many  praiseworthy  notices  received  from  the  New 
York  press  during  my  sojourn.  At  this  writing,  I  am 
still  giving  exhibitions  in  New  York,  and,  hoping  the 
above  review  of  my  travels  throughout  the  country  in 
educating  the  most  useful  to  man  of  all  God's  crea- 
tures will  prove  of  interest  to  the  reader,  I  remain, 
Respectfully, 

Oscar  R.  Gleason, 

Horse  Educat^yr 

Post-office  address.  Buffalo,  N-  Y 


i>KOF,  GLEASON   AS  HE  APPEALS  IN  THE  KING, 


PART    SECOND. 


THE    EDUCATION    AND   TRAINING    OF 
THE    HORSE. 


Always  remember  this  :  Before  any  attempt  is 
made  to  handle  a  horse,  it  is  an  imperative  necessity 
that  we  must  first  consider  his  disposition,  nature  and 
understanding;  and  although  I  do  not  wish  to  give  you 
the  impression  that  I  claim  to  be  a  phrenologist  of 
the  entire  animal  kingdom,  still  I  do  say  that  I  can 
read,  by  the  shape  of  the  head,  the  characteristics  of  a 
horse,  at  sight,  as  correctly  as  an  ordinary  person  can 
after  an  intimate  relationship  of  five  years  with  the 
same  animal.  You  will  ask.  What  foundation  have 
you  for  making  such  a  statement  ?  Well,  up  to  the 
present  day,  I  have  handled  individually  over  seven 
thousand  head  of  horses;  and  with  this  extensive  ex- 
perience and  a  passionate  desire  to  carefully  study  the 
animal,  I  have  drawn  the  following  conclusions  in  re- 
gard to  the  method  of  telling  a  horse's  disposition,  and 
if  you  will  take  the  trouble  to  apply  them  to  the  dif- 
ferent horses  you  d"Q  brought  in  contact  with,  I  have 
no  doubt  but  that  you  will  readily  agree  with  me 
when  I  say  they  are  facts. 


72  now   TO   EDUCATE    HORSES. 

CHARACTERISTICS    OF    HORSES. 

If  a  horse  has  large,  thick  ears,  hairy  inside;  small, 
flat  eyes,  sunk  into  the  head;  small,  thick  nostrils,  and 
if  he  is  narrow  between  ears  and  between  eyes,  and 
very  broad  from  eyes  to  jowls,  he  is  a  horse  of  no 
sense  and  can  be  taught  nothing.  On  the  other  hand, 
when  a  horse  has  a  small,  thin,  pointed  ear,  furry  in- 
side; large,  round,  full  eyes,  standing  out  well  from 
head;  large,  thin   nostrils,  and   is  broad   between  his 


HEAD   OF   A   PERFECT   HORSE. 


ears  and  between  his  eyes,  and  narrow  from  his  eyes 
to  his  jowl,  such  a  horse  has  intelligence — will  learn 
quickly  and  remember  well.  A  horse  with  a  large, 
thick  eye  on  the  top  of  his  head,  sunken  in  and  bulg- 
ing out  between,  with  a  Roman  head,  will  generally 
balk,  plunge,  or  have  some  vicious  habit,  as  well  as  a 
treacherous  disposition. 

As  I  have  given  you  some  of  the  characteristics  of  a 
poor  horse,  it  will  not  be  out  of  place  if  I  mention  the 
qualifications  of  a  perfect  horse.  The  ears  must  be 
small,  pointed,  furry  inside,  and  wide  between.     The 


TRAINING   THE    HORSE.  73 

eyes  must  be  clear,  full,  large,  standing  out  promi- 
nently, and  wide  between.  The  nostrils  must  be  large 
and  thin,  neck  long,  and  well  cut  up  under  the  jowl. 
Stout,  heavy  muscle  on  top,  and  thin  through  middle; 
withers  must  always  be  higher  than  hips;  short  back; 
broad  and  long  hips,  and  close-jointed.  For  durabil- 
ity always  buy  a  close-jointed  horse,  and  one  with 
fine,  short  hair.  The  finer  the  hair  the  longer  the 
life.  For  speed,  the  horse  should  measure  exactly  as 
much  from  between  his  ears  and  his  withers  as  from 
his  withers  to  the  coupling  of  the  hips;  that  is, 
the  withers  should  be  exactly  midway  between  his 
ears  and  the  coupling  of  the  hip.  From  the  point 
of  the  withers  to  the  shoulder  should  be  just  as 
long  as  from  the  coupling  of  the  hip  over  the  kidneys 
to  point  of  hip  by  tail.  From  hoof-band  of  forward 
foot  to  point  of  withers,  fifty-seven  inches;  from  point 
of  shoulders  to  point  of  hip,  sixty-two  inches.  Parties 
buying  horses  by  this  rule  will  find  it  infallible. 

BREAKING    AND    TRAINING    COLTS. 

The  first  lesson  given  to  a  colt  should  be  as  follows: 
Turn  him  loose,  either  in  a  box-stall  or  carriage- 
house,  and,  with  the  whip  in  the  right  hand,  slowly 
approach  him  and  crack  the  whip.  The  colt  will  run 
away  from  you,  and  generally  will  go  into  the  corner. 
FoHow  him  up,  however,  and  keep  cracking  the  whip 
until  he  will  turn  his  head  towards  you.  The  moment 
he  does  this,  step  right  up  to  him  and  caress  him  on  the 
point  of  the  shoulder.  If  he  should,  as  you  near  him, 
whirl  around  and  kick  at  you,  keep  your  eyes  open  and 
quickly  give  him  a  sharp  cut  on  the  hind  legs  with 
the  whip.  By  following  this  up  carefully,  in  a  very 
short  time  he  will  learn  to  his  sorrow  that  when  he 
turns  away  from  you,  and  attempts  to  let  his  heels. 


74 


HOW   TO   EDUCATE  HORSES. 


TRAINING   THE   HORSE.  75 

fly,  he  receives  punishment,  and  that  when  he  looks 
you  in  the  face  he  is  treated  well  and  rewarded.  The 
intelligence  of  any  colt  is  always  sufficient  to  perceive 
this,  and  in  fifteen  to  thirty  minutes  he  will  follow  you 
around  like  a  dog.  As  he  will  feel  that  you  are  his 
superior  and  master,  he  will  show  no  desire  to  kick. 

What  the  fingers  are  to  a  man,  the  nostrils  are  to  a 
horse;  and  any  object  that  seems  to  occasion  a  feeling 
of  fear  in  the  horse  you  should  slowly  either  take  him 
to  or  bring  up  to  him,  and  permit  him  to  nose  around 
it  and  smell  it  until  he  is  satisfied  it  is  harmless.     For 


FOR    A   HALTER- PULLEI 


instance,  before  making  any  attempt  to  put  on  the 
halter,  take  it  in  your  left  hand  and  let  him  smell  it; 
then  buckle  it  on  over  his  neck.  Always  be  very  calm 
and  quiet  in  your  manner,  and  talk  softly  to  the  horse, 
which  goes  a  great  way  towards  getting  him  accus- 
tomed to  your  presence. 

If,  after  the  halter  is  on,  the  colt  endeavors  to  pull 
away,  my  theory  is  to  circumvent  him  by  a  little 
strategy;  that  is,  if  you  can  call  it  such.  Take  a  com- 
mon clothes-line  rope  and  make  a  large  slip-loop  knot' 
around  the  body,  drawing  it  moderately  tight,  and 
pass  the  end  up  between  the  front  legs  through  the 


i6  HOW    TO    EDUCATE   HORSES. 

halter.  Tlie  reason  for  doing  this  is  of  course  very- 
apparent.  He  cannot  understand  how  anything  can 
pull  the  hind  part  of  his  body  and  his  head  at  the  same 
time;  and  on  feeling  the  strain  behind,  he  will  go  for- 
ward and  thus  you  will  accomplish  your  object  with- 
out being  compelled  to  use  force.  Taking  this  rope  in 
the  right  hand,  and  standing  directly  in  front  of  the 
colt,  say,  in  a  decided  manner,  "  Come  here,"  and  at 
the  same  time  pull  the  rope  sharply.  He  will  invari- 
ably move  forward,  and  when  he  does  so,  caress  him. 
Repeat  this  operation  two  or  three  times,  until  he 
will  quickly  move  forward,  when  you  say  "  Come  here." 

Then  with  this  rope  hitch  him  to  the  manger  or  to 
a  post,  and,  standing  in  front  of  him,  open  and  shut 
umbrellas,  shake  buffalo  robes  and  beat  tin  pans  ;  in 
fact,  make  as  much  noise  and  confusion  as  possible 
without  touching  him.  Of  course  he  cannot  think  of 
two  things  at  once,  and  the  rope,  tied  around  him 
behind,  catches  him  by  surprise,  and  he  will  end  by 
giving  up  trying  to  get  away  when  he  finds  that  he  is 
freer  from  pain  when  he  is  quiet  and  still  than  when 
jerking  his  head.  For  a  very  nervous  horse  put  the 
rope  as  far  forward  as  possible  around  the  body. 
This  treatment  can  be  applied  until  he  is  thoroughly 
halter-broke.  The  same  arrangement  is  the  most 
successful  one  in  existence  for  halter-pullers,  and  is 
also  a  most  valuable  assistant  in  leading  a  horse 
behind  a  wagon.  How  many  people  are  at  their  wits' 
ends  continually  when  on  a  long  ride  with  a  horse 
tied  to  the  carriage  behind  ! — and  yet  this  simple  in- 
vention would  prevent  it  all,  and  they  would  not  be 
obliged  to  even  give  the  horse  a  thought. 

The  next  lesson  to  be  given  to  the  colt  should  be 
the  harnessing.  First,  put  on  the  open  bridle  with 
the  straight  bar  bit,  and  run  the  lines  back  through 


TRAINING   THE   HORSE. 


;; 


J^8  HOW   TO   EDUCATE   HORSES* 

the  thill-straps.  Then  teach  the  colt  to  turn  to  the 
right  and  to  the  left,  and  to  stop  at  the  word  whoa. 
These  lessons  should  never  be  longer  than  an  hour 
each,  and  generally  only  two  a  day.  Check-reins  I 
do  not  approve  of,  as,  in  my  judgment,  if  a  horse  is 
born  into  this  world  without  style,  you  cannot  help 
the  matter  any  by  forcing  him  into  it  until  you  have 
thoroughly  trained  him  to  drive.  Then  put  on  your 
check-reins  and  take  him  up  gradually,  elevating  his 
head  only  to  a  natural  position. 

I  believe  a  colt  should  be  first  broke  when  about  a 
year  old,  but  never  worked  in  a  vehicle  until  at  least 
five  years  of  age;  and  it  is  my  opinion  that  a  great 
many  of  our  horses  are  almost  ruined,  or  at  least 
greatly  decreased  in  value,  by  being  broken  too 
young.  Any  good  practical  man,  with  good  judg- 
ment, can  break  a  colt  ;  yet  he  must  never  get  im- 
patient, but  bear  in  mind  that  a  colt  is  like  a  child 
just  learning  his  A,  B,  C.  All  colts,  of  course,  cannot 
be  handled  alike,  and,  as  perhaps  you  have  already 
inferred  from  the  preceding,  should  each  be  handled 
according  to  his  nature,  and  the  common-sense  of  the 
trainer  should  indicate  the  most  advisable  course  to 
pursue. 

THE    EUREKA    BRIDLE. 

The  next  point  I^wish  to  discuss  and  explain  is  my 
Eureka  bridle.  All  who  have  ever  used  it  comprehend 
its  great  value  and  usefulness  to  everybody  who  in  any 
way  has  to  handle  horses.  It  can  be  used  to  make  a 
horse  stand  quietly  while  getting  sliod  in  a  black- 
smith's shop,  or  to  be  mounted  or  harnessed,  as  well 
as  to  be  saddled  or  curried  with  a  curry-comb.  Sore 
eyes  can  be  treated  to  great  advantage,  or  any  surgi- 
cal operation  performed.     This  bridle  is  composed  of 


TRAINING  THE   HOkSE. 


79 


a  small  but  stout  piece  of  cord,  ten  feet  long  and  one- 
eighth  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  with  a  slip  noose  in  one 
end.  To  put  on  the  same,  first  slip  the  noose  around 
the  neck,  pass  it  through  the  mouth  over  the  tongue, 
from  the  off  side  ;  then  through  noose  on  near  side, 
and  pull  forward  firmly,  next  over  the  head  just  be- 
hind the  ears,  from  near  side  ;  then  under  upper  lip^ 
above  upper  jaw  from  off   side,  pass  through  second 


THE    EUKEKA   BRIDLE. 

cord  and  fasten  firmly  in  bow-knot.  This  bridle  will, 
without  fail,  hold  the  horse  so  that  any  of  the  previ- 
ously mentioned  feats  can  be  performed  with  ease, 
and  the  animal  will  also  follow  you  readily  wherever 
you  go. 

THE     DOUBLE    SAFETY     ROPE. 

In  breaking  horses  that  are  kickers  or  runaways,  I 
use  the  "Double  Safety  Rope."  In  case  some  of  you 
may  not  have  the  surcingles  and  different  appliances 
that  I  use,  I  will  explain  how  you  can  use  what  you 
have  near  at  hand.  Take  a  common  harness  and  put 
on  the  horse  an  open  bridle  and  lines.  Run  the  latter 
back  through  the  thill-straps,  the  same  as  in  driving 


So  HOW   TO    EDUCATE    HORSES. 

a  colt.  Next  take  two  straps,  with  a  ring  in  each  one, 
and  buckle  around  the  front  limbs  just  above  »hoof. 
Take  about  a  one-half  or  five-eighths  inch  cotton  rope, 
twenty  feet  long,  and  fasten  one  end  through  the  ring 
in  strap  on  near  foot,  and  pass  the  other  end  over  the 


THE    DOUBLE    SAFETY    ROPE. 


belly-band  of  the  harness,  down  through  the  ring  of 
the  off  front  foot  and  back  over  belly-band  of  harness 
again.  Now  take  the  rope  back  with  the  lines  and 
start  the  horse.     The  moment  he  starts  to  kick  or  run 


gleason's  surcingle. 


you  can  test  the  control  you  have  over  his  front  feet 
by  simply  pulling  tightly  the  rope  you  hold  in  your 
left  hand.     This  will,  of  course,  bring  him  to  his  knees 


TRAINING   THE    HORSE.  8l 

and   render   him  powerless   to   get  away,   unless   you 
permit  him  to  by  loosening  the  rope. 

In  thirty  minutes  the  most  vicious  runaway  or 
plunger  will  be  completely  subdued  by  this  treat- 
ment. I  also  use  this  rope  on  horses  afraid  of  bicy- 
cles, cars,  fire-crackers,  etc.,  as  well  as  in  deriving  over 
paper,  or  going  past  top  carriages.  It  is  impossible 
for  the  horse  to  turn  around  with  you,  for  as  he  does 
so,  just  tighten  the  rope  and  he  is  on  his  knees. 
Loosen  the  rope  and  he  will  be  on  his  feet  again.  In 
manipulating  this  rope  on  the  road  I  use  knee-pads 
made  in  the  following  manner:  Take  a  piece  of  felt 
about  six  inches  one  way  and  twelve  inches  the  other, 
and  in  the  middle  of  it  sew  on  a  piece  of  leather  in 
the  shape  of  the  horse's  knee.  Have  a  strap  fastened 
to  the  top  of  this  felt,  and  a  strap  to  buckle  on  the 
bottom.  Buckle  these  on  the  horse's  front  knees,  and 
you  have  a  pair  of  knee-pads  that  will  answer  every 
purpose.  They  can  be  bought,  however,  of  any  regu- 
lar harness-dealer. 

THE    DOUBLE    BONAPARTE    BRIDLE. 

I  will  next  describe  my  double  Bonaparte  bridle. 
This  is  a  cord  fifteen  feet  in  length,  with  a  stationary 
loop  tied  at  one  end  just  large  enough  to  slip  over  the 
horse's  lower  jaw.  Put  it  on  the  horse's  lower  jaw; 
bring  it  over  the  middle  of  the  neck  from  off  side; 
pass  downward  through  the  loop  on  near  side;  bring 
up  to  lower  corner  of  cheek-borte  on  near  side;  hold 
there  with  right  thumb,  pass  the  slack  under  upper 
lip  and  over  upper  jaw  from  near  side;  bring  ovef 
neck  just  behind  ears  from  off  side;  then  through 
loop  held  by  thumb.  Don't  fasten.  Hold  the  long 
end  in  your  right  hand  and  take  it  back,  and  you 
then  have  a  most  powerful  bridle  which  will  effectu- 
6 


82  now   TO    EDUCATE   HORSES. 

ally  stop  any  horse,  no  matter  how  unruly  or  vicious 
by  merely  giving  it  a  sharp  jerk,  and  saying  "Take 
care"  when  the  horse  tries  to  kick.  To  make  a  horse 
come  to  you  at  word,  stand  off  eight  feet  with  this 
cord  in  your  hand,  and  say  "  Come  here,"  at  the  same 
time  giving  the  cord  a  strong  pull,  which  you  will 
find  will  draw  the  animal  very  quickly.  Step  to  the 
other  side  of  the  horse  and  repeat  again  and  again 
for  about  ten  minutes.     Every  time  he  obeys,  caress 


BONAPARTE 


him,  and  in  a  very  short  time  you  will  have  a  horse 
that  will  watch  you  as  closely  and  follow  you  as  well 
as  your  dog.  This  bridle  can  be  also  used  for  ani- 
mals afraid  of  bicycles,  etc.,  and  liable  to  run  away. 

This  bridle  may  also  be  used  to  break  a  horse 
afraid  of  umbrella  or  buffalo  robe  as  follows:  Place 
on  the  horse  the  bridle  as  seen  in  engraving.  Pre- 
sent the  umbrella  or  buffalo  robe,  allowing  him  to 
smell  of  it;  then  rub  it  across  his  nose  and  head;  open 
it  gently,  at  the  same  time  allow  him  to  smell  of  it 
several  times;  work  gently  till  he  becomes  reconciled 
to  it,  and  in  a  few  lessons  you  will  be  able  to  use  the 
umbrella  in  any  place  around  him. 


TRAINING  THE  HORSE. 


83 


In  handling  horses  afraid  of  bicycles,  fire-arms,  fire- 
crackers, top-wagons,  etc.,  the  double  Bonaparte  bridle 
is  tlie  most  scientific  means  in  getting  the  horse  under 
control. 


NOT   AFRAID   OF    UMBRELLA. 


TO    PREVENT    HORSES    JUMPING    FENCES. 

We  will  next  mention  my  method  of  preventing 
horses  from  jumping  over  fences.  Place  a  surcingle 
around  his  body  with  a  ring  directly  under  him.  Put 
a  strap  around  both  fore  legs  above  knee  close  up  to 
shoulder.  Take  short  rope  or  strap;  fasten  one  end 
in  strap  on  off  fore  leg,  and  draw  moderately  tight. 
When  this  is  on,  the  horse  can  move  one  leg  at  a  time. 


34 


HOW   TO  EDUCATE   HORSES. 


so  as  to  walk,  lie  down,  or  get  up,  but  cannot  put  for- 
ward both  legs  at  once  so  as  to  run  or  jump. 

REMEDY    FOR    TAIL-SWITCHING. 

Another  thing  very  annoying  in  a  horse  is  to  have 
him  continually  switching  his  tail,  to  cure  which  dis- 
agreeable habit  I  recommend  this:  Place  on  the  horse 
a  collar  and  hames,  and  then  turn  over  the  tail  on  the 


TO   PREVENT   HORSES  JUMPING    FENCES. 

back.  Lay  across  the  tail  a  wooden  pin  four  inches 
long,  and  double  the  hair  of  the  tail  over  it.  After 
doubling  a  rope  and  making  a  slip-noose  in  the  mid- 
'  die,  pass  the  noose  over  the  wooden  pin  and  draw 
tight.  Fasten  the  ends  of  the  cord  to  the  hames  ring, 
thus  fastening  the  tail  on  the  back  snugly.     Let  the 


TRAINING   TllK   HORSE. 


85 


tail  stay  up  for  ten  hours,  and  then  let  down.  If  any 
signs  of  switching  are  then  seen,  put  it  right  up  again 
for  another  ten  hours.  However,  I  have  seen  only 
three  or  four  cases  that  have  required   a  second  or 


REMEDY    FOR    TAIL-SWITCHING. 


third  application,  and  there  is  no  danger  of  injuring 
the  horse  in  any  way. 


SHOEING    A    KICKING    HORSE. 

It  is  next  to  impossible  to  shoe  a  kicking  horse,  but 
with  the  contrivance  which  I  shall  now  suggest  this 
dangerous  work  can  be  made  almost  boy's  play. 
Buckle  a  strap  around  the  hind  feet  below  the  fetlock- 
joint;  have  a  ring  in  the  strap.  Next  take  a  wooden 
pin  four  inches  long,  and  double  tlie  horse's  tail  over 
it.  Pass  a  slip-noose  over  the  pin  and  run  the  end  of 
the  rope  through  the  ring  on  the  hind  foot,  and  with 
the  end  in  your  hand  stand  off  a  little  distance.    Then 


S6 


now   TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 


TRAINING   THE   HORSE.  87 

say  to  the  horse  "  Take  up  your  foot,"  and  tighten  the 
rope.  After  a  few  futile  kicks  he  will  give  it  up  and 
offer  no  further  resistance.  If  a  horse  is  very  vicious 
to  shoe,  always  use  my  Eureka  bridle  in  connection 
with  the  other. 

THROWING    AND    SUBDUING    A    HORSE. 

For  throwing  horses  and  letting  them  down  there 
are  a  great  many  different  methods  to-day  before  the 
American  horse  owner  that  are  used  for  a  purpose.    I 


POSITION    OF   THROWN    HORSE. 


do  not  approve  of  them  all,  although  we  must  have 
different  methods  for  different  horses.  The  safest 
one  I  have  yet  discovered  is  to  place  a  strap  on  the 
horse's  off  front  leg.  Tie  a  rope  into  the  ring  in  this 
strap,  and  bring  the  rope  up  over  the  horse's  back. 
Draw  this  foot  up  to  his  body.  Take  this  rope  in 
your  right  hand,  and  in  your  left  hand  take  the  horse's 
halter.  Pull  the  horse's  head  towards  you  and  press 
against  the  body,  saying  "  Lie  down."  Unless  he  is  a 
very  strong  and  powerful  brute,  a  man  weighing  one 
hundred  and  thirty  pounds  can  throw  a  horse  in  from 


88  now    TO    EDUCATE    HORSES. 

five  to  ten  minutes.  When  the  horse  has  lain  down, 
take  the  rope  that  has  now  come  over  the  back  and 
that  you  hold  in  your  hand,  and  pass  through  the 
ring  in  halter,  fastening  to  shoulder. 

For  subduing  a  horse  let  another  man,  you  holding 
the  head,  jingle  sleigh-bells,  shake  a  buffalo-robe,  beat 
tin  pans,  and  make  all  the  rattle  he  can.  In  this  man- 
ner, although  the  horse  may  be  nervous  at  first,  he 
will  soon  be  convinced  that  nothing  is  going  to  hurt 
him.  As  soon  as  he  discovers  this,  and  that  he  cannot 
get  up,  he  will  give  up  forever.  When  you  let  him 
up,  repeat  the  noise  again.  These  lessons  should  be 
repeated  on  a  very  nervous  horse  about  three  times  in 
order  to  obtain  good  results.  If,  perchance,  the  horse 
is  so  powerful  that  you  cannot  throw  him,  try  the 
above  in  connection  with  my  double-safety  rope. 
(Place  on  knee-pads,  etc.) 

TO    PREVENT    PAWING     IN    THE    STALL. 

Many  persons  are  kept  awake  nights  by  their  horses 
pawing  in  the  stall.  You  get  up  about  twelve  o'clock, 
thinking  some  burglar  is  in  the  house.  After  knock- 
ing over  a  few  dozen  chairs,  stubbing  your  toes  and 
barking  your  shins,  you  find,  to  your  great  disgust, 
that  it  is  only  the  horse  pawing  in  the  barn.  The  only 
revenge  you  can  find  is  to  kick  the  horse  a  few  times, 
and  then  go  back  to  bed,  only  to  be  annoyed  the  same 
way  again  in  a  short  time.  Now,  this  nuisance  can  be 
easily  remedied.  Take  a  strap  and  buckle  around  the 
horse's  leg  just  above  the  knee.  Now  take  a  little  piece 
of  trace-chain  seven  inches  long  and  tie  to  one  end  a 
small  block  of  wood  six  inches  long  and  two  in  diam- 
eter. Let  this  chain  hang  down  from  the  strap  in  front 
of  the  horse's  leg.  Every  time  he  goes  to  paw,  the 
block  will  strike  his  shin  and  cause  him  to  wonder 


TRAINING   THE    HORSE.  89 

what  it  is;  in  a  few  minutes  he  will  stop.     This  pre- 
ventive is  certainly  very  inexpensive. 

FOR    KICKING    IN    THE    STABLE. 

To  prevent  horses  kicking  in  the  stable,  take  a  piece 
of  elastic  the  same  as  is  used  for  a  garter  or  sleeve 
elastic,  and  sew  an  ordinary  vest-buckle  on  one  end 
of  it.  Buckle  this  around  the  horse's  hind  leg  just 
above  the  hock-joint.  This  will  cause  an  unpleasant 
feeling  when  he  goes  to  kick,  and  as  he  cannot  think 
of  that  and  the  kicking  at  the  same  time,  the  kicking 
will  stop. 

TO    START    A    BALKY    HORSE. 

I  am  continually  being  asked  how  to  move  a  balky 
horse.  I  wish  to  say  that  I  have  never  yet  seen  one, 
but  have  seen  a  great  many  balky  drivers;  that  is  to 
say,  the  horse,  by  bad  management  on  the  part  of  the 
driver,  is  educated  to  balk.  Now,  when  a  horse  has 
this  habit,  in  order  to  break  him  of  it  you  must  first 
get  him  under  control.  After  getting  the  horse  to 
obey  every  command  you  give  him,  hitch  him  to  a 
light  vehicle.  If  he  obeys,  reward  him;  if  not,  and 
he  does  wrong,  punish  him.  After  this  you  can  use 
any  treatment  that  you  see  fit.  I  lay  down  no  fixed 
rule,  as  there  are  no  two  horses  that  can  be  handled 
by  the  same  process.  A  few  lessons  given  by  a  man 
of  intelligence  will  have  a  great  effect. 

HOW    TO    STOP    A    RUNAWAY    HORSE. 

Next  I  will  explain  the  manner  of  stopping  a  run- 
away horse  by  using  nothing  but  a  straight  bar  bit  and 
lines.  For  instance,  your  horse  starts  to  run  away. 
Let  him  do  so  for  a  distance  of  fifty  yards;  then  haul 
in  your  lines  perfectly  tight.     When  you  get  ready  to 


90 


HOW   TO    EDUCATE   HORSES. 


give  the  command  to  stop,  say  "Whoa!"  at  the  same 
time  you  pull  the  right-liand  rein,  giving  a  powerful 
jerk,  and  repeat  the  word  whoa.  Don't  move  the  left 
hand,  but  do  all  the  work  with  the  right.  When  you 
give  the  terrible  jerk,  twist  the  horse's  jaw  to  the 
right,  and  if  you  have  the  presence  of  mind  to  repeat 
the  word  whoa,  at  the  second  jerk  of  the  lines,  you 
will  be  surprised  to  find  your  horse  standing  still. 

FOR    DRIVING    PULLERS    AND    LUGGERS. 

I  have  seen  many  different  bits  for  curing  pullers; 
but  what  will  cure  one  will  not  cure  another.  The 
most  simple  appliance  to  be  used  I  have  always  found 


FOR    DRIVING   A    PULLER. 


to  be  the  best.  I  will  give  you  two  different  methods 
which  I  use  in  driving  pullers,  ist.  Take  a  strap  and 
buckle  around  the  neck  with  a  ring  underneath  the 
neck  sewed  on  to  the  strap;  take  the  reins  and  pull 
through  the  bit-rings  and  buckle  into  ring  on  strap 
that  is  around  the  neck;  here  you  have  a  purchase  on 
the  horse's  lower  jaw  that  will  enable  you  to  hold  the 
worst  puller  with  ease.     2d.  Take  a  strap  seven  eighths 


TRAINING    THE    HORSE.  9I 

of  an  inch  wide  and  eighteen  inches  long,  with  a  ring 
one  and  a  half  inches  in  diameter  sewed  on  to  each 
end,  and  two  smaller  rings  running  loose  on  the  strap. 
Take  and  place  the  middle  of  the  strap  directly  under 


the  horse's  lower  jaw  and  bring  the  ends  through  the 
mouth  from  opposite  sides;  buckle  the  reins  into  the 
larger  rings  and  the  cheek  pieces  of  the  bridle  into 
the  smaller  ones.  This  makes  the  most  simple  and 
yet  effective  appliance  for  a  puller  I  have  ever  seen. 

ABOUT     THE    WORD    "  WHOA." 

In  relation  to  the  word  whoa,  you  should  never  use 
it  unless  you  want  the  horse  to  stop  short.  It  is  the 
habit  of  every  horseman,  as  perhaps  you  have  often 
noticed,  while  driving,  and,  come  to  a  crossing  or 
something  strange  on  the  roadside,  and  are  going  at 
the  rate  of  seven  to  eight  miles  an  hour,  and  wish  to 
slack  up  the  pace  a  little,  to  say  "Whoa."  Of  course 
the  horse  stops,  and  in  consequence  receives  a  few 
sharp  cuts  of  the  whip  in  return.  Under  such  a  driver 
the  horse  in  a  few  months  learns  the  wrong  meaning 
to  the  word;  and  when  a  person  takes  him  out  to 
drive,  and  a  piece  of  paper  or  what  not  excites  fear 
and  the  driver  says  "Whoa,"  the  horse  starts  up  and 
goes  faster.  The  more  the  driver  shouts  '*whoa,"  the 
faster  the  horse  will  go.  Why  ?  Because  he  has  been 
taught  to  stop  at  the  whoa  and  then  receive  punish- 
ment. So  you  have  actually  taught  your  horse  to  run 
away.  I  will  now  give  you  a  practicable  substitute 
for  the  word  whoa  in  tliis  case.  If  you  wish  to  slack 
up  a  little,  instead  of  saying  "  Whoa,"  say  "  Steady 
there,  boy,"  or  "  Easy,  sir."    In  a  few  lessons  the  horse 


92  HOW    TO    EDUCATE    HORSES. 

will  understand  that  "  steady"  means  to  slack  up,  and 
that  ''whoa"  means  to  stop.  "Back"  means  back,  and 
''  stand"  means  stand.  Never  lie  to  a  horse  or  deceive 
him.  Make  no  false  motions.  Remember  that  they 
never  forget  what  you  once  teach  them,  whether  it  is 
good  or  bad. 

HORSE    TRAINERS,    NOT    TAMERS. 

Having  travelled  on  the  road  for  over  ten  years,  I 
have  come  in  contact  with  a  great  many  horse-tamers, 
and,  in  fact,  the  press  of  America  to-day  uses  the  term 
horse-training  synonymously  with  that  of  horse- 
taming.  I  never  could  see  where  the  word  horse- 
taming  comes  in.  We  are  not  raising  a  wild  animal, 
but  a  domestic  one,  that  has  been  so  as  far  back  as 
history  goes;  and  my  profession  is  not  to  undertake  to 
tame  a  domestic  animal,  but  to  educate  and  teach  him 
as  you  would  a  child,  and  thus  make  him  more  useful 
and  valuable  to  man.  The  horse  is  an  animal  of  no 
little  intelligence,  docility,  and  faithfulness — qualities 
which  would  be  more  generally  apparent  were  it  not 
for  the  cruel  treatment  so  commonly  practised  in 
breaking  him.  Have  patience  with  him,  and  prac- 
tise good  judgment  and  common-sense  in  handling 
him.  Understand  before  you  commence  to  drive 
him  that  he  is  a  dumb  brute;  and  as  he  cannot  talk, 
he  will  watch  your  every  movement.  A  finely  bred 
horse  is  as  sensitive  as  a  well-bred  person,  and  you 
should  not  hallo  to,  whip,  or  spur  him  as  you  would 
an  old  dung-hill  of  a  brute. 

USE    OF    THE    WHIP. 

The  whip  is  a  very  good  thing,  but  should  only  be 
used  in  its  place,  w^hich  I  will  give  you  a  little  illustra- 
tion of  here.     If  you  are  driving  along  the  road  and 


TRAINING   THE   HORSE.  93 

your  horse  shies  at  a  covered  wagon,  or  a  bicycle, 
a  white  dog,  or  anything  that  excites  his  fright  and 
causes  him  to  shy,  do  not  wait  until  he  gets  by  and 
then  up  and  whip  him  for  the  next  fifteen  minutes, 
but  when  he  first  discovers  it.  Take  the  lines  in  the 
left  hand  and  the  whip  in  the  right,  and  when  he  makes 
his  first  shy  give  him  a  sharp  crack  of  the  whip,  at 
the  same  time  saying,  "Take  care,  sir;  what  do  you 
mean  ?"  Don't  talk  as  though  you  were  half  asleep, 
but  as  if  you  meant  just  what  you  said.  Keep  both 
eyes  open,  and  don't  hit  him  as  though  you  were  try- 
ing only  to  kill  a  fly  on  his  back.  Never  strike  a  blow 
with  the  whip  unless  the  voice  accompanies  it.  The 
word  and  blow  should  go  together. 

TALK    TO    YOUR    HORSES. 

One  failing  the  American  horse-owners  have  is, 
they  do  not  talk  to  their  horses  enough.  If  a  horse 
starts  to  run,  you  will  stay  in  the  carriage  and  not 
open  your  mouth,  but  sit  pulling  on  the  reins.  You 
should  speak  to  the  horse,  and  if  he  is  afraid  of  any- 
thing, tell  him  to  "Take  care,"  etc.;  "it  is  not  going 
to  hurt  you."  At  the  same  time  crack  the  whip  to 
draw  his  attention.  As  a  horse  cannot  think  of  two 
things  at  once,  the  consistency  of  this  is  of  course 
apparent. 

HOW    TO    MOUNT    A    COLT. 

In  mounting  a  wild  colt,  place  the  bridle  on  his 
head  (I  generally  use  a  Eureka  bridle  at  the  same 
time) ;  then  put  on  a  surcingle  around  his  belly.  Be- 
fore mounting  this  colt,  take  first  his  tail  in  your  right 
hand  and  in  your  left  hand  hold  the  bridle  line.  Now 
whirl  him  around  you  for  about  a  dozen  times.  Then 
let   go   of  the    tail,    say    "whoa,"   and   jump   on  his 


94  HOW   TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 

back.  Nine  out  of  ten  will  stand  perfectly  quiet, 
Why?  Because  you  have  rendered  him  dizzy,  and  he 
is  almost  powerless  to  jump,  being  practically  intoxi- 
cated. His  ideas  have  been  mixed  up  in  such  a  man- 
ner that  he  does  not  know  what  has  happened.  Ask 
the  colt  to  start,  but  don't  plank  your  heels  in  his 
flank,  or  you  will  land  rather  quickly  in  the  road. 
Have  a  second  party  lead  the  colt  ten  to  fifteen  feet, 
until  he  knows  what  you  want.  If  he  makes  any 
attempt  to  throw  you,  take  your  left  hand  and  pull 
the  nigh  line,  making  that  shorter  than  the  other. 
Pull  his  head  around  so  that  he  will  go  around  him- 
self, and  thus  he  cannot  throw  his  rider.  After  you 
have  whirled  him  around  five  or  six  times,  pull  both 
lines  quickly  and  say  "whoa."  After  two  or  three 
lessons,  he  will  ride  off  correctly.  When  you  find  out 
the  colt  will  not  throw  you,  don't  commence  to  run, 
but  let  him  off  slowly,  then  gradually  faster  and 
faster,  until  he  is  confident  that  you  will  do  him  no 
harm.  .  Don't  force  him,  because,  by  endeavoring  to 
be  too  smart  with  him,  you  will  find  yourself  very 
liable  to  land  over  some  near-by  fence. 

TAKING    UP    A    horse's     FRONT    FEET. 

.  How  many  times  I  have  been  in  blacksmith  shops 
and  livery  stables  and  seen  people  go  at  a  horse  to 
make  him  take  his  feet  up  by  pulling  on  tlie  fetlock, 
etc.  Now,  let  me  give  you  an  easy  plan.  If  it  is  the 
nigh  foot  that  you  wish,  place  your  left  hand  on  the 
shoulder  and  the  right  hand  on  the  horse's  limb. 
Press  in  with  the  left  hand  at  the  shoulder,  and 
quickly  his  foot  will  come  from  the  floor!  How 
simple!  and  yet  why  have  you  not  done  it  before? 


TRAINING   THE    HORSE.  95 

TO    MAKE    A    HORSE    STAND    QUIETLY. 

To  make  your  horse  stand  while  getting  into  the 
carriage,  give  him  first  a  lesson  with  the  Bonaparte 
bridle.  Teach  him  to  stop  at  the  word  whoa,  and  to 
back.  In  fact,  get  him  under  perfect  control  before 
hitching  to  a  carriage.  Allow  no  one  to  hold  him  by 
the  head;  and  when  all  hitched  up,  lay  the  lines  over 
the  dasher.  In  breaking  horses  to  stand  while  getting 
into  carriage,  I  generally  use  an  open  bridle,  so  they 
can  see  every  motion  that  is  made.  Then,  when  you 
get  them  broke,  put  on  the  blinders.  After  having 
seen  what  you  do,  they  will  not  be  afraid.  Now, 
when  you  go  to  get  into  the  carriage,  and  the  horse 
makes  a  move  to  start,  say  quickly  ''Whoa,  sir,"  and 
at  the  same  time  pull  on  the  reins  as  if  you  were  going 
to  pull  down  a  tall  building.  Then  repeat  over,  and 
get  in.  If  he  goes  to  move,  repeat,  turn  cushion 
over,  throw  your  hat  in  the  air,  and  toss  around  half 
a  dozen  tin  cans  in  the  wagon.  If  he  moves,  repeat. 
Crawl  in  and  get  in,  in  all  manner  of  ways,  and  if  he 
moves,  give  him  a  terrible  jerk  on  the  lines  and  say 
''whoa,"  speaking  as  if  you  meant  it,  and  thus  let  him 
feel  you  mean  business.  Don't  say  wo^  wJio^  whoosh, 
or  hoo,  but  a  good,  hearty  "whoa." 

STARTING    A    KORSE. 

How  to  Start  your  horse,  after  you  have  taught  him 
to  stand,  I  will  now  describe.  How  many  we  see  get 
into  a  carriage  and  say  "cluck,"  as  a  signal  to  the 
horse  to  start!  This  is  not  the  way  to  do.  Also, 
never  take  hold  of  the  reins  until  you  get  all  fixed 
with  your  robe  around  you.  If  you  have  sixteen  in 
the  family,  pack  them  all  in  nicely  first,  then  take  up 
the    reins  and  say,  "All  ready,  sir;    get  up."     Thus 


96 


now   TO    EDUCATE   HORSES. 


you  will  soon  teach  the  horse  to  know  what  you 
mean,  and  to  understand  what  you  say  intelligently. 
If  you  want  to  stop  and  speak  to  a  gentleman  on  the 
street,  or  stop  at  your  residence,  remember  that  the 
word  ''whoa  "  is  to  be  used  on  this  occasion. 

GIVING    HORSES    MEDICINE. 

Now,  a  word  in  regard  to  giving  horses  medicine. 
It  is  a  common  practice  to  put  a  halter  on  the  horse's 
head,  run  the  end  over  a  high  beam  in  the  barn,  and 


GIVING    A    HORSE    MEDICINE. 


pull  tlie  head  up  as  high  as  possible,  with  the  lower 
jaw  so  fixed  that  he  cannot  move  it  a  bit.  Could  you 
drink  a  cup  of  water  in  this  position?  No.  His 
lower  jaw  should  be  perfectly  free,  so  that  he  can 
swallow.  To  permit  this,  take  a  strap  and  fasten  to 
the  upper  jaw  only  ;.  run  a  pitchfork  through  the  end 
of  the  strap,  and  by  these  means  hold  the  head  up. 
You  can  now  give  him  medicine  and  have  no  fear  that 


TRAINING   THE   HORSE. 


9; 


he   will    strangle.     Never   give    medicine    through   a 
horse's  nostrils  ;    nothing  is  more  ridiculous. 


MY    SIMPLE    RIDING    BRIDLE. 


Take  a  piece  of  rope  seven  feet  long ;  lay  the  middle 
of  this  rope  on  the  top  of  the  horse's  head,  pass  it 
down    the  sides   of   his  face,  and  cross    th"ouQ:h  his 


gleason's  simple  riding,  bridle. 


mouth;  bring  ends  back  and  your  bridle  is  completed. 
Tins  bridle  is  inexpensive,  the  cost  being  less  than 
one  cent.  If  you  are  out  in  the  country,  and  have  a 
good  sharp  knife,  somebody's  clothes-line  will  answer 
the  purpose  very  well. 
7 


qS  how  to  educate  horses. 

RIDING    BRIDLE    FOR    KICKERS, 

I  will  now  describe  a  valuable  riding  bridle  for 
kickers.  Take  a  piece  of  rope  twelve  feet  long. 
Double  or  rather  treble  it,  making  a  three-ply  rope. 
Now  take  the  rope,  make  a  half-hitch,  and  tie  it 
at  each  end.  Then  take  the  rope  and  pass  it  through  a 
loop  to  outside  and  same  with  the  other.  These  three 
ropes,  at  the  top  of  this  bridle,  pull  forward  as  a  brow- 
band,  and  the  two  ropes  that  are  across  each  other 
go  into  the  horse's  mouth.  This  bridle  can  be  put 
over  or  under  your  ordinary  bridle,  and  it  is  impossi- 
ble for  any  horse  to  run  away  with  it  on.  For  riding 
purposes,  reverse  the  bridle  right  round,  placing  three 
cords  in  his  mouth  instead  of  two. 

THE    PASSIVE     TREATMENT. 

If  you  should  have  a  horse  so  vicious  to  shoe  that, 
after  trying  the  methods  I  have  already  mentioned, 
you  have  to  give  up,  I  will  lay  down  one  here  which, 
although  I  do  not  personally  approve  of  it,  is  some- 
times effective  when  everything  else  fails.  Take  a  cord 
twenty  feet  long  with  a  loop  in  one  end,  made  station- 
ary. Pass  this  over  the  upper  jaw,  under  the  upper 
lip;  now  wind  around  his  head  and  through  his  mouth 
until  you  wind  up  the  whole  twenty  feet  of  this  rope, 
every  time  drawing  it  tighter.  When  this  bridle  is 
on  the  horse  you  can  curry  him  and  do  anything  else 
you  desire.  Never  leave  it  on,  however,  over  thirty 
minutes,  as  it  stops  the  circulation.  You  can  loosen 
it  for  five  minutes  and  then  tighten  it  up  again.  I 
have  trained  some  very  bad  balkers  with  the  use  of 
this  rope  and  will  explain  to  you  how.  Hitch  up  the 
horse  and  ask  him  to  go.  If  he  refuses  to  pull,  take 
him   right  out  and   remove  the  bridle.     Put  on   this 


TRAINING   THE    HORSE.  99 

cord  for  thirty  minutes,  and  in  the  mean  time  sit  around 
and  read  the  newspaper  or  smoke  a  cigar.  At  the  end 
of  that  time,  hitch  him  up  again  and  give  him  another 
trial;  if  he  refuses  again,  put  on  the  cord  for  another 
thirty  minutes,  and  so  repeat  until  you  have  conquered 
the  horse,  if  it  takes  the  whole  day,  as  to  break  stub- 
born horses  requires  some  time.  Dead  horses  are 
not  worth  one  cent;  never  spend  any  labor  in  break- 
ing them,  as  it  is  only  thrown  away.  High-life  horses 
can  be  broke. 

THE    ABUSE    OF    THE    CHECK-REIN., 

Now  a  word  about  the  check-rein.  I  claim  that  the 
check-rein  should  never  be  used,  except  to  keep  the 
horse  from  putting  his  head  to  the  ground.  The  over- 
draw check  should  never  be  used,  as  it  is  too  cruel, 
and  the  only  possible  way  it  can  be  advantageously 
applied  is  on  trotting  horses  when  going  at  a  very 
rapid  gait,  and  it  then  assists  in  steadying  them.  As  I 
have  stated  before,  no  horse  can  be  given  unnatural 
style,  and  endeavoring  to  do  so  only  injures  the  ani- 
mal, by  bringing  on  cramps,  etc. 

How  many  times  do  we  see  a  fashionable  equipage 
standing  on  the  street,  with  the  horses'  heads  high  in 
the  air,  moving  uneasily  from  side  to  side  !  Every 
time  they  show  the  pain  they  suffer,  the  well-dressed 
coachman  on  the  seat  gives  them  a  sharp  cut  on  the 
ears  with  his  whip.  This  is  heartless.  How  could  you 
bear  it  yourself,  with  your  head  jerked  back  in  this 
manner,  for  hours  at  a  time  ?  Of  course,  now  that 
your  attention  is  brought  to  the  matter,  you  see  the 
mistake  that  is  made,  and  the  better  the  drivers  in 
general  understand  the  effect  it  has  and  feel  more 
positive  every  day,  the  use  of  it  will  probably  be  less- 
ened in  proportion. 


100  HOW   TO    EDUCATE   HORSES. 


METHODS    GIVEN    TO    THE    PUBLIC. 

Before  concluding,  let  me  say  that  I  do  not  desire  to 
keep  secret  the  inventions  and  many  methods  that  I 
have,  after  long  years  of  experience  and  careful  study, 
found  to  be  the  most  practical,  and  then  use  them  to 
extort  money  from  people  who  need  the  advice  so 
badly  that  they  are  w^illing  to  pay  almost  any  amount 
to  obtain  the  same.  Everything  I  have  discovered  is 
laid  open  for  the  benefit  of  mankind  as  w^ell  as  for 
that  of  the  dumb  animal.  A  man  who  would  willingly 
withhold  information  that  will  relieve  a  suffering  ani- 
mal is  as  brutish  as  he  is  mercenary. 

Anything  that  I  have  mentioned,  and  that  is  not 
as  clear  as  it  might  be,  I  will  be  most  happy  to  ex- 
plain by  letter  so  far  as  I  am  able.  For  this  purpose 
I  beg  to  say  that  my  address  is  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  and 
that  all  inquiries  will  receive  prompt  replies. 


TRAINING  THE   HORSE.  lOI 


FURTHER  HINTS  ON  TRAINING. 

NATURE    OF    THE    HORSE. 

,  The  horse  has  no  reasoning  faculties  beyond  the 
limits  of  his  experience.  Hence  we  can  reason  with 
him  by  acts  alone.  Literally,  with  the  horse,  acts 
speak  louder  than  words;  and  hence  the  absolute  im- 
portance of  commencing  every  move  with  the  horse 
right,  for  by  our  acts  he  learns.  Secondly,  early  im- 
pressions are  strong,  both  in  the  human  family  and 
with  the  horse,  and  seldom,  if  ever,  are  entirely  erased 
from  memory's  tablet. 

Who  is  there  in  the  human  family  that  does  not 
well  remember  the  first  impressions  of  his  boyhood 
days  ?  And  as  we  journey  on  through  life,  what  a  con- 
trolling influence  they  exert  over  us!  Just  so  with  the 
horse.  Hence  the  great  importance  of  having  his  first 
impressions  of  man  of  such  a  nature  as  to  convince 
him  not  only  of  man's  superiority,  but  to  satisfy  him 
tliat  man  is  his  best  friend.  Obtain  by  a  systematic 
course  of  handling,  not  only  supreme  power  over  him, 
but  teach  him  also  to  repose  trust  and  confidence  in 
you,  and  then  never  betray  it.  No  animal  has  mem- 
ory equal  to  that  of  the  horse,  and  none  will  recipro- 
cate a  kindness  or  resent  an  injury  sooner.  We  hold 
that  man,  being,  on  account  of  his  intellectual  re- 
sources, superior  to  all  other  animals,  is,  and  has  a 
right  to  be,  at  the  head  of  all  animal  creation,  for  he 
can  adopt  means  to  overcome  the  strength  of  the  horse 
or  even  use  it  against  himself. 


102  HOW   TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 


NECESSITY    OF    HONESTY    AND    KINDNESS. 

You  must  treat  the  horse  kindly.  You  must  obtain 
liis  confidence,  then  never  abuse  it.  Deal  honestly  with 
him;  never  lie  to  him;  he  judges  you  by  your  acts. 
Never  ask  him  to  do  anything  unless  you  are  in  a  posi- 
tion to  compel  obedience  (if  he  has  the  correct  idea  of 
what  you  want),  and  then,  when  the  obedience  is  ren- 
dered, reward  him  for  it.  Be  prompt,  but  never  de-^ 
ceive  him. 

NECESSITY    OF    FAMILIARIZING    TO    OBJECTS    OF    FEAR. 

As  we  are  taught  there  is  no  effect  without  a  cause, 
and  as  the  horse  becomes  fearless  and  confident  so  far 
as  he  understands  there  is  no  cause  for  fear,  we  should 
remove  the  cause  of  mischief  as  much  as  possible  by 
complying  with  those  laws  of  his  nature  by  which  he 
examines  an  object,  or  determines  upon  its  innocence 
or  harm.  Therefore,  let  him  examine  and  smell  of 
such  things  as  are  likely  to  frighten  him,  such  as  a 
log  by  the  roadside,  an  umbrella,  buffalo-robe,  or  other 
frightful  object.     His  nose  is  his  fingers. 

USE    INTELLIGENT    MEANS. 

The  horse  should  be  treated  with  kindness  and  con- 
sideration. You  have  a  right  to  curb  and  restrain  his 
spirit,  but  not  to  subdue  it;  he  has  no  more  natural 
spirit  than  it  is  proper  he  should  have.  The  great 
difficulty  with  all  the  theories  of  horsemanship  that 
have  been  promulgated  to  the  world  is,  that  they  have 
been  founded  upon  one  idea  of  subjugation.  Subjuga- 
tion is  not  teaching;  you  have  a  right  to  restrain — to 
make  him  conform  to  your  will.  But  you  must  also 
teach  him  what  you  want  him  to  do.  To  hitch  up  the 
wild  colt  and  say  "  whoa"  to  him,  without  having  first 


TRAINING   THE    HORSEc  IO3 

taught  him  the  word  "  whoa,"  is  unreasonable  in  the 
extreme.  'Tis  true,  we  cannot  handle  the  wild  colt  that 
is  actuated  by  fear  as  we  can  the  old  horse  that  is 
actuated  by  vengeance;  with  the  one  we  are  all  mild- 
ness, whereas  we  take  hold  of  the  other  in  a  manner 
that  satisfies  him  that  there  is  to  be  no  partnership 
arrangement  about  it,  but  we  are  to  have  it  our  way 
all  the  time. 

TO  TEACH  THE  COLT  TO  BACK. 

Put  on  the  Bonaparte  bridle;  stand  directly  in  front 
of  your  horse,  having  hold  of  the  cord — about  twenty 
inches  from  the  head — with  your  left  hand,  resting 
the  right  on  the  cord  or  bridle  about  four  or  five  inches 
from  the  head.  You  will  say,  "  Back,  sir,"  and  at  the 
same  time  press  down  and  back  with  your  right  hand 
steadily  on  the  cord  until,  by  way  of  relieving  himself, 
he  will  step  back  one  step;  then  let  up  on  the  cord  and 
pat  him.  That  teaches  him  what  you  want.  Then 
repeat  for  a  few  times,  and  after  you  have  given  him 
the  idea  and  the  motion,  you  can  press  him  back 
sharply  with  the  cord,  and  in  a  few  minutes  more  at 
the  word.  This  will  never  fail  to  teach  the  colt  or  bad 
horse  to  back. 

BITTING    THE    COLT. 

All  you  can  possibly  accomplish  with  the  old- 
fashioned  bitting  bridle  I  can  accomplish  with  my 
bridle  in  forty  minutes,  and  that  is  to  teach  the  horse 
to  hold  down  his  head,  hold  up  his  head,  and  to  the 
right  and  to  the  left,  at  the  touch  of  the  rein.  If  na- 
ture has  not  designed  the  horse  to  have  a  high,  stylish 
head  and  carriage,  no  art  of  man  can  alter  it,  and  the 
old-fashioned  practice  of  straining  up  the  neck  in  an 
unnatural  position,  and  leaving  it   there  for  hours^  in 


I04  HOW   TO    EDUCATE    HORSES. 

nine  cases  out  of  ten  results  in  a  heavy-headed  lugger 
on  the  bits. 

TRAINING    TO    HARNESS. 

The  first  time  you  undertake  to  harness  your  colt, 
you  should  be  very  careful  to  see  that  the  harness  fits 
perfectly  well,  and  that  it  is  perfectly  safe.  Many  ac- 
cidents have  been  the  result  of  such  carelessness. 
Then,  with  the  aid  of  the  bridle  to  reprove  him  if  he 
resists  the  putting  of  the  harness  on  him,  harness 
him;  and  after  you  have  moved  him  about  a  little, 
attach  to  him,  before  you  undertake  to  hitch  him  to 
the  sulky,  what  I  shall  call  a  foot-strap,  which  is  sim- 
ply a  piece  of  webbing  or  a  piece  of  strap  or  rope  long 
enough  to  be  fastened  to  one  of  his  forward  feet;  then 
run  over  the  belly-band  of  the  harness,  and  then  out- 
side of  the  tugs  back  to  the  buggy  or  sulky,  which 
you  hold  in  your  hand  as  a  life  insurance  or  third 
rein.  If  he  attempts  to  run  away,  pull  upon  the 
strap,  which  throws  him  on  three  feet  instantly,  and 
he  has  to  stop.  If  he  attempts  to  run  back,  the  same 
remedy  stops  him.  If  he  attempts  to  kick  you,  attract 
his  attention  forward  instantly,  and  at  the  same  time 
make  it  impossible  for  him  to  kick.  The  moment 
you  notice  any  disposition  to  kick,  you  take  his  foot, 
which  disconcerts  him,  attracts  his  attention  away 
from  his  hind  parts,  while  it  is  impossible  for  him  to 
kick;  yet  do  not  take  his  foot  and  hold  it,  but  keep 
snatching  and  letting  him  have  it,  and  you  will  soon 
break  him  of  the  habit.  This  is  one  of  the  most 
powerful  means  of  control  ever  yet  devised,  because 
you  beat  him  while  right  in  the  act. 

OBJECTS    OF    FEAR. 

Never  whip  your  horse  for  becoming  frightened  at 
any  object  by  the  roadside;  for  if  lie  sees  a  stump,  a 


TRAINING  THE   HORSE.  105 

log,  or  a  heap  of  tan-bark  in  the  road,  and  while  he  is 
eying  it  carefully,  and  about  to  pass  it,  you  strike 
him  with  the  whip,  it  is  the  log  or  the  stump  or  the 
tan-bark  that  is  hurting  him,  in  his  way  of  reasoning, 
and  the  next  time  he  will  act  more  frightened.  Give 
him  time  to  examine  and  smell  of  all  these  objects,  and 
use  the  Bonaparte  bridle  to  assist  you  in  bringing  him 
carefully  to  these  objects  of  fear.  Bring  all  objects, 
if  possible,  to  his  nose  and  let  him  smell  of  them,  and 
then  you  can  begin  to  accustom  him  to  them. 

DRIVING. 

In  teaching  a  young  horse  to  drive  well,  do  not  be 
in  a  hurry  to  see  how  fast  he  can  trot.  Keep  each 
pace  clear  and  distinct  from  each  other;  that  is,  in 
walking,  make  him  walk — do  not  allow  him  to  trot. 
While  trotting,  be  equally  careful  that  he  keeps 
^teadily  at  his  pace,  and  do  not  allow  him  to  slack 
into  a  walk.  The  reins,  while  driving,  should  be  kept 
snug;  and  when  pushed  to  the  top  of  his  speed,  keep 
him  well  in  hand  that  he  may  learn  to  bear  well  upon 
the  bit,  so  that  when  going  at  a  high  rate  of  speed,  he 
can  be  held  at  his  pace;  but  do  not  allow  him  to  pull 
too  hard,  for  that  is  not  only  unpleasant,  but  makes 
it  often  difficult  to  manage  him. 

BALKY    HORSES. 

When  the  horse  balks  in  the  harness  it  is  not  from 
any  unwillingness  to  perform  his  duty,  but  from  some 
confusion  or  excitement  arising  from  mismanagement. 
He  is  willing  and  anxious  to  go,  but  too  eager  or 
high-spirited  to  make  the  steady  push  against  the 
collar  necessary  to  move  the  load.  The  usual  plan  is 
to  commence  to  curse  and  lash.  A  volume  might  be 
written  on  the  importance  of  keeping  cool  on  all  such 


I06  HOW   TO    EDUCATE    HORSES. 

occasions.  Frequently,  simply  going  to  their  heads 
and  moving  them  gently  against  their  collars  to  the 
right  and  left  evenly,  giving  them  time  to  get  cool, 
will  make  them  start  of  their  own  accord.  •  Sometimes 
taking  up  one  fore  foot  in  your  hand,  and  giving  the 
horse  a  sharp  press  against  the  shoulder  to  one  side, 
will  cause  him  to  step,  and  start  him.  But  if  the 
habit  is  firmly  fixed,  you  will  have  to  resort  to  the  fol- 
lowing means,  which  will  take  a  few  lessons;  then  you 
break  up  the  habit. 

Take  your  balky  horse  in  the  barn  or  on  a  piece  of 
greensward;  take  him  by  the  head  and  tail  and  whirl 
him  around  until  he  is  quite  dizzy,  and  if  you  become 
dizzy  before  he  does,  let  him  whirl  himself  as  follows: 
Tie  the  hair  of  the  tail  into  a  hard  knot;  then  take 
the  halter  strap  in  your  left  hand,  holding  the  tail  in 
your  right,  pass  the  halter-strap  through  the  hair 
above  the  knot,  and  draw  up  as  short  as  the  horse 
will  bear  without  running  around,  tying  quickly. 
This  will  bring  the  horse  in  the  form  of  a  half-circle — 
his  head  fast  to  his  tail  by  the  halter-strap.  Your 
object  is  to  break  up  his  confidence  in  himself;  and 
nothing  on  earth,  no  process  you  can  subject  him  to, 
will  do  it  half  as  soon  as  this.  Should  he  not  run 
round  very  freely,  touch  him  behind  with  the  whip, 
which  will  cause  him  to  move  sharply.  Simply  keep 
him  moving  until  he  falls  down  by  becoming  dizzy, 
which  he  will  do  inside  of  a  minute  and  a  half.  Let 
him  lie  a  few  minutes;  then  tie  him  in  the  opposite 
direction  and  put  through  until  he  falls  or  is  unable 
to  move.  Then  put  on  your  Bonaparte  bridle  and 
give  him  a  few  sharp  jerks  to  the  right  and  left,  and 
show  him  you  can  handle  him  by  the  head  as  well  as 
by  the  tail.  Thus  train  him  until  he  will  spring  to 
the  right  and  left,  and  straight  forward,  when  you  ask 


TRAINING   THE   HORSE.  lO/ 

him  to — and  then  you  are  in  a  shape  to  put  him  in 
harness.  If  he  refuses  to  draw,  step  in  front  of  him 
with  the  bridle  on,  fetching  him  either  way  first  and 
then  straight  ahead,  and  in  a  short  time  you  will 
work  it  out  of  him.  If  at  any  time  your  horse  should 
become  warm,  put  him  aside  and  let  him  cool.  You 
will  gain  time  by  it;  for  when  sulky  and  heated  he 
is  in  no  shape  to  learn. 

BAD    BITERS. 

If  the  horse  is  a  stallion,  with  a  confirmed  habit  of 
biting  and  striking,  I  should  not  think  it  worth  my 
while  to  attempt  to  cure  him,  but  should  castrate  him 
at  once.  You  are  always  in  risk  of  your  life  or  limb 
while  you  have  such  an-  animal  about.  If  a  mare  or 
gelding,  put  on  the  Bonaparte  bridle,  and  watch 
liim  closely,  in  a  sly  way,  not  letting  him  know  you 
are  watching  him;  and  when  he  attempts  to  bite,  give 
him  a  few  severe  pulls  upon  the  bridle.  Do  this  in 
such  places  as  he  is  most  likely  to  bite,  and  we  will 
warrant  that  a  few  efforts  will  teach  your  animal  that 
his  jaws  were  not  made  to  bite  his  keeper.  To  pre- 
vent a  stallion  from  biting  his  mate  when  hitched  up 
double,  attach  an  independent  line  to  the  outside  ring 
of  his  bit,  letting  it  hang  loosely,  the  end  being  held 
by  the  driver.  As  he  attempts  to  bite,  pull  up  sharply, 
and  hit  him  severely  with  the  whip. 

PUTTING    TONGUE    OUT    OF    MOUTH. 

To  prevent  this  take  a  thick  piece  of  patent  harness 
leather,  about  four  inches  long  and  two  inches  wide. 
Cut  off  the  ends,  rounding  near  the  edge;  on  each  side 
punch  two  holes,  through  which  put  a  leather  string, 
and  tie  it-on  top  of  a  joint  bit.  When  you  put  in  the 
bit   place  this   on  top  of  the  tongue;  take  the  side 


I08  HOW   TO    EDUCATE   HORSES. 

pieces  of  the  headstall  up  pretty  well.  This  will  pre- 
vent him  from  running  his  tongue  out  over  the  bit. 
If  he  runs  it  out  under  the  bit,  use  a  straight  bit,  bore 
two  holes  through  the  bit  from  the  under  side,  about 
an  inch  and  three  fourths  apart.  To  these  attach  a 
piece  of  large  wire,  bringing  it  under  in  the  shape  of 
the  bowl  of  a  spoon.  When  you  put  on  the  bit,  pull 
the  tongue  through  between  this  wire  and  the  bit, 
seeing  that  the  space  is  large  enough  for  it  tositeasy. 
These  plans  will  soon  break  up  this  bad-looking  habit. 

gleason's  general  hints. 

Match  horses  with  reference  to  size  and  motion, 
particularly — to  color  if  you  can,  and  have  the  other 
requisites. 

Always  have  inside  lines  on  a  double  team  quite 
long,  and  back-strap  short. 

Never  check  a  horse,  if  you  wish  to  have  him  last 
long,  except  while  training. 

Feed  in  low  mangers — water  and  oats  to  be  given 
firsts  hay  afterward. 

If  worked,  very  little  water  to  be  given  in  the  night. 

Stop  at  the  top  of  a  hill,  and  let  your  horse  get 
breath. 

The  shoe  should  fit  the  foot — not  the  foot  fit  the 
shoe.     Never  cut  the  bars  or  frogs. 

Wet  the /z^jF  and  ;/^/ the  oats  for  a  coughing  horse. 

Never  let  a  horse  stand  long  facing  a  cold  wind. 

Feed  light  when  changing  feed. 

When  training  in  a  building,  have  carriages,  etc., 
removed. 

Use  but  a  few  words  with  a  horse,  but  have  them 
understood. 

Be  earnest  and  prompt,  but  not  harsh. 

Always  approach  a  strange  horse  near  the  shoulder. 


TRAINING   THE   HORSE.  IO9 

Teach  before  whipping,  and  when  whipping  do  it 
to  frighten,  not  to  enrage. 

Never  jump  from  a  wagon  when  your  horse  is  run- 
ning away.  More  lives  and  limbs  are  lost  in  that  way 
than  by  remaining  in  the  wagon. 

Exercise  sound  judgment  by  purchasing  a  horse 
suited  to  the  business  required  of  him.  Some  horses 
are  good  saddle-horses,  but  might  not  make  good 
cart-horses. 

If  a  horse  cribs,  drive  a  few  three-ounce  tacks  through 
the  throat-latch  of  his  halter,  so  that  the  points  are  in- 
ward toward  the  neck  when  the  tliroat-latch  is  buckled 
moderately  tight.  As  he  attempts  cribbing,  the  swell 
of  the  neck  causes  him  to  be  pricked,  which  admon- 
ishes him  to  quit. 

He  who  buys  needs  a  hundred  eyes. 

Try  before  you  buy. 

Never  spare  time  or  labor  to  relieve  the  suffering. 

In  treating  a  disease  never  spare  hair. 


1   :l^ 


PART   THIRD. 


TEACHING  HORSES  TRICKS. 


GENERAL    REMARKS. 


Mankind  are  too  apt  to  depend  upon  their  strength 
to  beat  the  horse,  without  making  any  use  of  their 
reasoning  powers  to  outgeneral  him;  and,  in  many  in- 
stances, such  an  exercise  of  tyranny  over  the  horse 
only  engenders  a  rebellious  spirit  on  the  part  of  the 
animal.  Therefore,  lay  aside  your  strength,  and  use 
your  reason;  be  moderate,  be  temperate.  No  man  can 
become  a  good  horseman,  and  not  have  first  learned 
to  control  himself  before  he  attempts  to  control  the 
animal.  Be  firm,  be  persevering,  be  honest;  never  lie 
to  your  horse.  Endeavor  to  have  him  understand 
what  you  want,  and  do  not  confuse  him  by  attaching 
different  meanings  to  the  same  word.  It  is  quite  com- 
mon to  say  "whoa"  when  it  is  only  intended  to  go 
slower,  or,  when  the  horse  has  not  stirred  a  foot,  to  let 
him  know  of  your  presence;  and  then  when  you  want 
a  "  whoa"  when  your  life  may  depend  upon  yourhaving 
a  good  "  whoa"  upon  your  horse,  you  find  you  have 
not  got  it.  You  have  played  it  entirely  out  of  him. 
Never  say  "  whoa"  unless  you  mean  to  stop  right 
there.  Speak  always  in  a  natural  tone  of  voice,  under 
all  circumstances. 

Have  your  horse  understand,  by  examination  and 


112  HOW   TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 

experience,  that  the  things  liable  to  frighten  are  harm- 
less; and  be  sure  not  to  whip  him  for  being  frightened. 
Always  let  your  horse  face  the  object  of  fear;  and  when 
frightened,  remember  the  slower  you  move  your  horse 
the  more  power  you  have  over  him.  There  are  times 
when  letting  a  horse  trot  is  almost  as  bad  as  letting 
him  run  away. 

Fear  is  something  a  horseman  should  never  exhibit  in 
his  countenance  or  voice,  as  the  horse  is  a  close  observer, 
and  soon  learns  to  take  advantage  of  such  indications 
to  become  careless  of  control,  if  not  indeed  aggressive. 
Let  your  lessons  be  thorough,  but  not  very  long.  Be 
gentle  and  patient  with  the  colt,  but  make  the  wilful, 
stubborn  horse  feel  the  full  extent  of  your  power,  until 
he  submits.  Though  if  he  should  become  much  heated 
and  excited,  it  is  prudent  to  stop  and  repeat  the  lessons 
at  some  future  time;  repeat  until  there  is  thorough 
and  unconditional  submission.  Let  your  treatment 
be  characterized  by  gentleness  afterwards. 

TRICKS. 

As  many  of  my  readers  may  wish  to  know  how  to 
teach  their  horses  tricks,  1  will  explain  how  it  may  be 
done.  Teaching  a  young  horse  a  few  tricks  serves 
greatly  to  keep  up  an  interest  in  him,  and  makes  him 
appear  intelligent,  fearless,  and  affectionate.  In  teach- 
ing your  horse  to  perform  tricks,  it  is  best  to  give  him 
one  or  two  lessons  of  half  or  three-quarters  of  an  hour 
each,  daily. 

TO  COME  AT  THE  CRACK  OF  THE  WHIP  OR  AT  THE 
WORD  OF  COMMAND. 

Put  on  the  Bonaparte  bridle;  stand  off  a  few  feet 
from  his  head,  holding  the  end  of  the  bridle  in  your  left 
hand  and  the  whip  in  the  right.    Crack  the  whip  a  little, 


TEACHING   HORSES   TRICKS.  II3 

and  say,  "Come  here,  sir."  He  does  not  know  what 
this  means,  but  you  show  him  by  pulling  on  the  bridle 
a  little,  which  he  will  obey  by  moving  towards  you  a 
few  steps.  This  movement  you  thank  him  for  by  step- 
ping forward  and  giving  him  a  little  apple  or  a  few 
kernels  of  corn,  and  caressing  him  gently;  then  repeat 
in  the  same  way,  rewarding  him  as  before,  and  so  con- 
tinue until  he  will  walk  up  to  you  readily  when  you 
crack  the  whip  or  say,  "Come  here,  sir,"  which  he  will 
soon  learn  to  do.  Each  time  he  comes  to  you,  talk  to 
him  kindly,  and  do  not  fail  to  give  him  his  little  re- 
ward of  corn  or  apples,  oats,  or  something  of  the  kind 
which  he  likes.  You  can  now  take  off  his  halter  and 
turn  him  loose,  and  repeat  until  he  fully  comprehends 
that  the  way  to  avoid  the  whip  is  to  come  to  you, 
which,  with  the  encouragement  of  being  rewarded,  will 
soon  inspire  his  fullest  confidence,  and  he  will  come  to 
you  and  follow  you  like  a  dog. 

Be  very  cautious  about  the  use  of  the  whip,  or  harsh 
language,  remembering  that  perfect,  cheerful  obedi- 
ence is  your  object,  and  that  can  be  secured  only  by 
great  patience  and  gentleness. 

TO    MAKE    A    BOW. 

Take  a  pin  in  your  right  hand,  between  the  thumb 
and  forefinger,  and  stand  up  before,  but  a  little  to 
the  left  of,  your  horse.  Then  prick  him  on  the  breast 
very  lightly,  as  if  a  fly  biting,  to  relieve  which  he  will 
bring  down  his  head,  that  you  will  accept  as  yes,  and 
for  which  you  will  reward  by  caressing  and  feeding  as 
before.  Then  repeat,  and  so  continue  until  he  will 
bring  his  head  down  the  moment  he  sees  the  least 
motion  of  your  hand  towards  his  breast;  or  substitute 
some  signal  which  he  will  understand  readily. 
8 


114  HOW   TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 

TO    SAY    NO. 

Stand  by  your  horse  near  the  shoulder,  holding 
t'he  same  pin  in  your  hand,  with  which  prick  him 
lightly  on  the  withers,  and  to  drive  away  which  he 
will  shake  his  head;  you  then  caress  as  before,  and 
repeat,  until  he  will  shake  his  head  at  the  least  indi- 
cation of  your  touching  him  witli  the  pin.  You  can 
train  your  horse  so  nicely  in  this  way  in  a  sliort  time 
as  to  cause  him  to  shake  his  head  or  bow  by  merely 
turning  the  hand  a  little,  or  moving  it  slightly  towards 
him. 

TO    LIE    DOWN. 

To  teach  a  horse  how  to  do  this  trick  quickly,  you 
must  lay  him  down  two  or  three  times,  or  as  often  as 
you  will  find  it  necessary  to  make  him  understand 
your  object.  If  an  old  horse,  strap  the  near  fore  leg 
to"  the  arm;  then  take  your  little  strap,  previously 
used  to  temper  your  colt  with,  and  place  over  the 
back,  and  strap  around  the  off  fore  foot,  below  the  fet- 
lock. Then  take  the  bridle  rein  firmly  in  your  left 
hand,  al^out  eighteen  inclies  from  the  head,  and  pull 
it  a  little  towards  you.  The  moment  he  steps,  pull 
upon  the  strap  over  the  body,  which  will  bring  the 
horse  on  his  knees.  Hold  him  quietly,  at  the  same 
time  talking  to  liim  gently.  When  he  springs, 
pull  sharply  with  the  left  hand,  and  the  same  instant 
pull  down  with  the  right,  which  will  swing  him 
around  you  and  prevent  his  rising  high  enough  to 
injure  his  knees  by  the  momentum  of  the  body  in 
coming  down.  By  being  gentle,  the  horse  will  usu- 
ally lie  down  in  a  short  time.  When  down  treat  your 
horse  with  the  greatest  attention  and  kindness.  After 
holding  him  down  ten  or  fifteen  minutes,  permit  him 


TEACHING   HORSES   TRICKS.  II5 

to  get  up.  Repeat  this  lesson  until  he  will  come  down 
readily.  Then  use  only  the  strap  over  the  back,  and 
which  have  on  the  near  foot,  and  bring  him  on  his 
knees  gently,  when  he  will  soon  lie  down.  When  lie 
will  come  on  his  knees  readily  by  taking  up  the  foot 
in  this  way,  take  up  the  foot  with  the  hand,  asking 
him  to  lie  down.  He  will  soon  come  down.  When 
he  will  come  on  his  knees  readily  by  taking  up  the 
foot  with  the  hand,  simply  stoop  as  if  intending  to 
take  it  up,  saying,  "Lie  down,  sir."  Then  make  him 
come  down  by  a  motion  of  the  hand,  and  finally  by 
simply  telling  him  to  lie  down.  If  a  colt,  use  but  the 
single  strap  over  the  body  at  first,  which  will  soon 
cause  him  to  come  on  his  knees.  In  teaching  a  horse 
to  lie  down,  be  gentle,  caress  and  reward  him  for  ly- 
ing down,  and  your  horse,  comprehending  what  you 
want,  and  finding  himself  paid  for  compliance,  will 
soon  be  as  anxious  to  get  down  for  the  reward  as  you 
are  to  have  him  do  so. 

TO    SIT    UP. 

When  your  horse  will  lie  down  readily,  you  can 
then  teach  him  to  sit  up  like  a  dog,  easily.  If  young, 
and  not  very  heavy  and  strong,  you  can  easily  prevent 
his  getting  up  without  tying  down.  First  cause  him 
to  lie  down,  having  on  him  a  common  bridle  with  the 
reins  over  the  neck;  then  step  behind  him  and  place 
the  right  foot  firmly  on  the  tail,  the  reins  in  your 
hands.  Then  say,  ''Get  up,  sir."  The  horse,  rising 
from  a  recumbent  position,  first  turns  on  his  belly, 
throws  out  his  forward  feet  and  raises  himself  on 
them,  springs  forward  and  rises  on  hind  feet.  Now, 
standing  upon  his  tail  firmly,  and  pulling  back  upon 
the  reins  when  he  attempts  to  spring  forward  and  up, 
will  prevent  his  doing  so,  and  you   hold   him   sitting 


Il6  HOW   TO    EDUCATE   HORSES. 

up.  Hold  him  firmly  a  few  seconds,  talking  to  him 
kindly,  before  permitting  him  to  rise  on  his  feet. 
Repeat  a  few  times,  when,  instead  of  springing  up,  he 
will  sit  upon  his  haunches  a  short  time,  which  you  are 
to  accept  as  complying  with  your  wishes.  Always 
say,  ''  Sit  up,  sir,"  every  time,  and  hold  him  in  this 
position  as  long  as  he  will  bear,  by  fondling  and  feed- 
ing him  with  something  he  likes  from  the  hand,  and 
your  horse  will  soon  learn  to  sit  up  for  you  as  long  as 
you  please. 

But  if  your  horse  is  heavy  and  strong,  it  will  be 
necessary  to  resort  to  other  means  to  hold  him  down 
at  first.  This  you  do  by  putting  on  his  neck  a  com- 
mon collar,  and  causing  him  to  lie  down.  Then  fasten 
a  piece  of  rope,  or  a  rein,  to  each  hind  foot  and  bring 
forward  through  the  collar  and  draw  up  close,  which 
will  bring  the  hind  feet  well  forward.  Then  step 
behind,  as  previously,  and  when  he  attemps  to  rise 
on  his  hind  feet  he  finds  it  impossible  to  do  so,  be- 
cause you  hold  them  firmly  with  those  straps.  Repeat 
two  or  three  times,  when  it  will  not  be  necessary  to 
resort  to  such  force, 

TO    TEACH    YOUR    HORSE    TO    KISS    YOU. 

Teach  him  first  to  take  an  apple  out  of  your  hand. 
Then  gradually  raise  the  hand  nearer  your  mouth  at 
each  reception,  until  you  require  him  to  take  it  from 
your  mouth,  holding  it  with  the  hand,  telling  him  at 
the  same  time  to  kiss  you.  He  will  soon  learn  to 
reach  his  nose  up  to  your  mouth;  first  to  get  his  ap- 
ple, but  finally  because  commanded  to  do  so.  Simply 
repeat  until  your  horse  understands  the  trick  thor- 
oughly. 


TEACHING  HORSES   TRICKS.  II7 


TO    SHAKE    HANDS. 

Tie  a  short  strap,  or  piece  of  cord,  to  the  forward 
foot,  below  the  fetlock.  Stand  directly  before  the 
horse,  holding  the  end  of  this  strap  or  cord  in  your 
hand;  then  say,  "Shake  hands,  sir,"  and  immediately 
after  commanding  him  to  do  so,  pull  upon  the  strap, 
which  will  bring  his  foot  forward,  and  which  you 
are  to  accept  as  shaking  hands,  thanking  him  for 
it  by  caressing  and  feeding,  and  so  repeat  until,  when 
you  make  the  demand,  he  will  bring  the  foot  forward 
in  anticipation  of  having  it  pulled.  This  is  a  very  easy 
trick  to  teach  a  horse.  By  a  little  practice  a  horse 
maybe  easily  trained  to  approach,  make  a  bow,  shake 
hands,  and  follow  like  a  dog,  lie  down,  sit  up,  etc., 
which  make  him  appear  both  polite  and  intelligent. 

Never  lose  courage  or  confidence  in  your  ability 
because  you  may  not  bring  about  good  results  easily. 
To  accomplish  anything  of  importance,  remember,  re- 
quires no  ordinary  resolution  and  perseverance.  There 
would  be  no  credit  or  importance  attached  to  master- 
ing and  managing  bad  horses,  if  not  difficult  and  ap- 
parently dangerous.  No  duty  requires  more  firmness 
of  purpose  in  the  control  of  the  passions,  or  more 
fidelity  to  the  principles  of  kindness  and  truth,  than 
that  of  horsemanship. 

If  you  would  be  really  a  successful  horseman,  you 
must  never  seem  to  forget  by  your  conduct  that  you 
are  a  man,  and  that  your  real  superiority  over  the  ani- 
mal consists  in  the  prudent  exercise  of  your  reasoning 
powers.  Brute  force  is  not  your  forte,  and  the  instant 
you  give  way  to  passion,  your  reason  must  yield  to 
the  control  of  blind  instinct,  and  you  at  once  abdicate 
your  intellectual  superiority  over  the  animal.  Try  to 
prove  by  the  example  of  your  actions  in  the  perform- 


Il8  HOW   TO    EDUCATE    HORSES. 

ance  of  the  duty,  that  to  be  a  good  horseman  requires 
higher  qualifications  of  fitness  than  that  of  the  huck- 
stering dishonesty  and  depravity  so  generally  evinced 
in  the  conduct  of  those  claiming  the  distinction. 


PART    FOURTH. 


AGES   OF    HORSES. 


The  following  is  my  new  system  of  telling  the  ages 
of  horses: 

A  horse  has  40  teeth, — 24  grinders,  12  front  teeth, 
and  4  tusks.  A  mare  has  ^6  teeth, — 24  grinders,  12 
front  teeth,  and  sometimes  tusks,  but  not  often. 


[4  days  old,  4 ■ N 

3  months  old,  4 M 

6  months  old,  4 C 

1  year,  cups  leave N 

2  years,  cups  leave .M 

2^  years,  sheds N 

3  years,  full  size   N 

3^  years,  sheds .  .  .M 

4  years,  full  size M 

4i  years,  sheds C 


5  years,  full-size C 

6  years,  large  cup  in  C   small 
in  M,  and  still  smaller  in  N 

7  years,  cups  leave,    .    N 

8  years,  cups  leave. .  ...... .M 

9  years,  cups  leave C 

10  years,  groove  in  upper.  . .  ,C 
15  years,  half-way  down    up 

per C 

21  years,  at  the  bottom   .  .    .  .C 


120 


HOW   TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 


AGES   OF   HORSES.  121 

N  Stands  for  nipper  teeth;  M  for  middle  teeth,  C 
for  corner  teeth.  The  groove  comes  on  the  upper 
corner  teeth  at  lo  years  old;  one-fourth  way  down,  12 
years  old;  one-half  way  down,  15  years  old;  three- 
fourths  way  down,  18  years  old;  all  the  way  out  to  the 
bottom,  21  years  old. 

The  groove  alluded  to  will  be  found  on  the  corner 
tooth  of  the  upper  jaw,  running  down  the  middle  of 
the  tooth.  When  a  horse  is  from  fourteen  days  to  six 
years  old,  I  judge  by  the  appearance  of  both  jaws; 
when  from  six  to  ten  years,  by  the  lower  jaw,  and 
when  from  ten  to  twenty-one  years,  by  the  upper  jaw. 

The  above  is  the  only  true  system  in  the  world  for 
telling  a  horse's  age.  It  may  be  added,  however, 
that  long  study  and  practical  familiarity  with  horses 
are  necessary  in  order  to  tell  a  horse's  age  readily  and 
correctly. 


GEO.    A.    ST.    JOHN,    VVILKESBAKKE,    TA.,    THE   SCIENTIFIC     HORSESHOER 


PART    FIFTH. 


PRACTICAL  SUGGESTIONS  ON  SCIEN- 
TIFIC   HORSESHOEING. 


There  is  no  subject  before  American  horse  owners 
to-day  that  should  interest  them  more  than  the  sub- 
ject of 

HORSESHOEING. 

The  force  of  this  statement  will  make  itself  felt  when 
we  consider  that  there  are  in  the  United  States  at  the 
present  time  over  thirteen  million  head  of  horses, 
and  that  fully  half  of  them  are  badly  crippled,  almost 
spoiled  by  the  sheer  ignorance  of  the  ordinary  horse- 
shoer.  I  even  claim  that  more  lame  horses  are  made 
so  by  this  "  botchery"  than  by  any  other  cause.  For 
the  simple  reason  that  the  majority  of  blacksmiths  in 
this  country  have  not  had  the  experience  necessary  to 
do  the  work  as  it  should  be  done;  because  they  have  not 
thoroughly  mastered  their  profession,  in  the  first  place. 
The  following  is  the  way  our  blacksmiths  generally 
deem  it  proper  to  shoe  a  horse,  and  I  will  also  give 
you  some  of  its  consequences:  Any  shoe  is  selected, 
and  the  bars,  as  well  as  a  large  part  of  the  frog,  are 
removed  by  the  knife.  This  removal  they  term 
opening  the  heels.  When  the  hoof  is  thus  prepared, 
the  shoe  is  applied,  generally  thicker  at  the  heel  than 
at  the  toe,  and  broad  in  the  web,  having  its  upper  sur- 


124  HOW   TO    EDUCATE   HORSES. 

face  convex.  Four  nails  are  then  placed  in  each 
quarter.  The  high  heels  of  the  shoe  prevent  the  frogs 
from  embracing  the  ground,  and  the  concavity  of  the 
shoe  at  the  quarters,  with  the  nails  that  are  placed 
nearest  the  heels,  will  confine  the  growth  of  the  crust 
and  contract  the  hoof.  After  a  horse  has  been  shod 
in  this  way  for  a  little  while,  you  will  discover  that  the 
heels  are  beginning  to  crack,  and  a  roughness  will 
show  itself  around  the  feet.  The  horse  will  walk 
lame,  and  you  will  wonder  what  the  cause  is.  You 
ask  the  nearest  veterinary  surgeon,  and  he  tells 
you  the  horse  is  lame  in  the  shoulder  or  has  swinney, 
or  perhaps  shoulder-jam.  He  will  undertake  to  pre- 
scribe and  apply  remedies  for  the  same;  but  of  course 
none  of  these  will  do  any  good,  as  the  real  affliction  is 
passed  by  without  any  attention  whatever. 

Now,  the  proper  way  to  shoe  a  horse  is  to  first  take 
away  the  part  of  the  sole  between  the  whole  length  of 
the  bars  and  crust  with  the  drawing-knife,  making 
the  foot  perfectly  level.  The  heels  can  now  re- 
ceive the  pressure  of  the  shoe  without  causing  corns. 
The  sole  must  be  made  concave  and  not  allowed  to 
come  in  contact  with  the  shoe.  The  heels  of  the  shoe 
should  be  made  to  rest  on  the  angles  of  the  bars  with 
the  crust;  but  if  the  bars  are  removed,  then  the  shoe 
is  supported  by  the  crust  only,  and  not  by  the  solid, 
broad  piece  of  crust  and  bars  needed.  The  shoe 
should  be  made  no  thicker  at  the  heel  than  at  the  toe, 
leaving  the  frog  to  come  down  even  with  the  shoe,  so 
that  when  the  shoe  strikes  the  ground  the  frog  strikes 
with  the  shoe  at  the  same  time,  giving  what  is  called 
frog  pressure.  When  the  shoe  is  applied,  the  cavity 
between  the  sole  and  the  shoe  should  be  large  enough 
at  every  point  to  admit  a  large  horse-picker,  particu- 
larly between  the  bars  and  crust.     If  the  picker  can- 


PRACTICAL   SUGGESTIONS   ON   HORSESHOEING.     12^ 

not  be  admitted,  then  it  is  requisite  to  make  either 
the  sole  or  the  shoe  concave.  The  bars  or  frog 
should  never  be  removed,  but  ragged  parts  of  the 
latter  maybe  cut  away.  Where  the  heels  are  higher 
than  the  frogs,  lower  the  heel  by  the  rasp,  for  in  every 
case  we  are  to  endeavor  to  bring  the  frog  in  contact 
with  the  ground.  The  reason  why  the  bars  should 
never  be  destroyed  is  that  they  are  like  the  braces  to 
a  building.  They  run  angleways  to  a  horse's  frog, 
and  act  as  a  wedge.  The  moment  you  take  them 
away  the  heels  are  bound  to  contract,  because  the 
braces  are  gone.  The  sole  of  the  horse's  foot  should 
be  cut,  only  enough  so  that  the  shoe  will  not  press 
on  the  sole. 

The  next  point  we  will  mention  is  the  taste  many 
blacksmiths  have  for  finishing  a  job  with  the  rasp,  so 
as  to  make  the  foot  look  smooth  and  handsome,  with- 
out a  thought  for  the  injury  they  do  to  the  horse. 
Under  no  consideration  allow  any  blacksmith  to  rasp 
the  foot  on  the  outside  above  the  nail-heads.  Why? 
Take  a  penknife  and  scrape  your  finger-nails  for  a 
while  every  day,  and  then  notice  the  result.  Soon 
they  will  grow  rough,  thick,  and  then  lose  all  shape. 
It  is  the  same  way  with  a  horse's  hoof.  Although  a 
nicely  sand-papered  hoof  may  look  very  pretty  for  the 
first  day  or  two,  still  it  is  a  thousand  times  better  to 
be  satisfied  with  nature  and  not  try  to  improve  on 
her.  Never  let  any  blacksmith  take  a  file  and  file 
under  the  clinches.  For  the  reason  that  the  wall 
of  the  horse's  feet  is  very  thin,  and  in  filing  this 
crust  under  the  clinches  you  weaken  the  foot  and 
stop  the  growth  of  the  horn.  When  the  blacksmith 
takes  tongs  and  pulls  off  the  shoe,  four  or  five  differ- 
ent chunks  will  break  away  and  come  off  with  the  old 
horseshoe.     The  lower  part  of  the  hoof  has  become 


126  HOW   TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 

dead  by  filing  with  the  blacksmith's  file.  This  will 
not  embarrass  the  ordinary  blacksmith,  however, 
who  will  put  on  the  shoe  the  same  as  if  it  were  all 
right,  and  then  scientifically  sand-paper  the  whole 
job.  This  last  part  he  has  probably  got  down  fine, 
and  to  the  uninformed  horse-owner,  who  looks  only 
for  effect,  the  job  will  be  considered  as  all  right. 

As  I  find  very  few  people  who  seem  to  know  the  func- 
tions of  the  horse's  frog,  it  will  not,  perhaps,  be  out  of 
place  if  I  explain  them,  and  to  that  end  I  would  say 
that  the  frog  in  a  horse's  foot  is  a  cushion  to  the 
horse,  ■  and  takes  the  same  place  as  a  spring  in  a 
wagon.  If  we  take  the  spring  out  of  a  carriage  and 
attempt  to  ride  over  five  or  ten  miles  of  rough  and 
stony  roads,  we  soon  find  that  our  nerves  are  being 
terribly  jolted,  so  that  we  lose  the  pleasure  which 
generally  accompanies  a  drive.  Now,  when  the 
Almighty  made  the  horse.  He  gave  him  the  frog  to 
act  as  a  cushion  to  his  feet.  The  frog  is  of  an  elastic, 
yielding  character;  and  when  it  comes  in  contact  with 
the  earth,  stones,  or  anything  hard,  it  yields  and  gives 
like  a  spring,  taking  the  jar  ofif  from  the  delicate 
machinery  of  the  foot.  As  its  convexity  must  make  it 
liable  to  touch  the  ground  at  every  step,  I  conclude 
that  it  was  intended  to  receive  pressure;  paring  the 
frog,  therefore,  and  raising  it  from  the  ground  by  a 
higli-heeled  shoe  annihilates  its  functions  and  pro- 
duces disease. 

When  a  horse  has  travelled  upon  these  high-heeled 
shoes  for  a  long  time,  taking  the  pressure  off  the  frog, 
the  frog  becomes  dry  and  hard  as  a  stone,  and  the 
result  is,  when  it  strikes  the  earth  it  jars  the  limbs  and 
causes  inflammation.  Then  the  foot  commences  to 
contract,  growing  ^vorse  and  worse  every  day,  until 
,in  a  few  months  the  horse  is  almost  worthless. 


PRACTICAL   SUGGESTIONS    ON    HORSESHOEING.      12/ 

Now  let  me  say  a  few  words  about  the  weight  of  the. 
horse's  shoes.  I  have  discovered  in  my  travels  through 
America  that  our  horses  are  carrying  from  a  pound  to 
a  pound  and  a  half  of  iron  on  each  foot,  and  in  figur- 
ing it  up  I  make  this  seemingly  outrageous  calcula- 
tion: A  horse  carrying  one  and  a  half  pounds  of  iron 
on  each  foot,  making  one  step  a  second  and  sixty 
seconds  a  minute,  and  running  eight  to  ten  hours  a 
day,  picks  up  and  puts  down  daily  over  seventy-three 
tons  of  iron;  and  an  animal  carrying  one  pound  of 
iron,  making  the  same  number  of  steps,  etc.,  picks  up 
and  puts  down  fifty-two  tons  of  iron.  The  following 
will  tell  you  exactly  how  much  a  shoe  should  weigh: 
A  horse  weighing  nine  hundred  to  nine  hundred  and 
fifty  pounds,  up  to  one  thousand  and  thirty  pounds, 
should  wear  a  fourteen-ounce  shoe  on  the  fore  feet 
and  an  eight-ounce  shoe  on  the  hind  feet.  This  is 
plenty  heavy  enough  for  driving  and  saddle  horses. 
For  heavy  team-horses  and  dray-horses,  of  course  you 
must  use  a  heavier  shoe;  but  never  shoe  a  horse 
heavier  than  his  weight  requires.  The  less  iron  on 
the  horse's  foot,  the  better  for  the  animal. 

Another  great  fault  I  have  discerned  in  my  visits  to 
blacksmith-shops  all  over  the  United  States  is  their 
tendency  to  fit  the  horse's  foot  to  the  shoe,  and  not  fit 
the  shoe  to  the  foot.  The  very  thought  of  this  is 
simply  ridiculous,  and  to  take  a  red-hot  shoe  and  burn 
into  place  I  most  decidedly  do  not  advise.  I  would 
make  this  statement:  If  the  smith  is  any  kind  of  a 
mechanic,  and  is  paid  well  for  his  work,  he  should 
take  the  iron  in  the  bar  and  work  it  so  it  will  fit  the 
foot  in  a  proper  manner.  Then  fit  it  on  cold  and  not 
red-hot,  which  draws  a  certain  matter  from  the  foot, 
and  it  stands  to  reason  is  very  injurious.  After  a 
short  time  under  this  treatment,  it  will  be  almost  im- 


128  HOW   TO    EDUCATE    HORSES. 

possible  for  the  blacksmith  to  prepare  the  foot  with 
a  knife. 

How  do  we  get  these  ignoramuses  into  the  busi- 
ness ?  Well,  young  men  will  go  into  a  blacksmith- 
shop  to  learn  the  trade.  They  stay  there  six  months. 
At  the  end  of  that  time  they  have  perhaps  learned  how 
to  sharpen  the  point  of  a  horseshoe-nail  and  drive  on 
an  old  horseshoe.  It  always  requires  at  least  ten 
years  to  do  it,  as  well  as  intelligence  and  common 
sense,  combined  with  a  strong  inclination  to  study  the 
different  kinds  of  animals.  I  hope  I  may  live  to  see  a 
law  passed  in  the  various  States  prohibiting  all  per- 
sons practising  the  art  of  blacksmithing  unless  they 
hold  a  certificate  of  examination  signed  by  proper  ex- 
aminers, and  obliging  the  applicant  to  spend- a  cer- 
tain number  of  years  learning  the  profession  before 
being  allowed  to  receive  the  diploma.  Thus  these 
"sprouters"  will  be  weeded  out,  and,  at  the  same  time, 
as  the  diseases  they  cause  cease,  the  number  of  quack 
doctors  will  in  proportion  grow  less. 

Few  people  realize  the  importance  of  this  question. 
There  are  in  the  United  States  12,523,488  horses  and 
2,162,808  mules,  and  for  information's  sake  I  will  say 
here  there  are  45,675,533  cattle  and  18,443,120  milch- 
cows,  averaging  one  cow  to  every  three  inhabitants; 
there  are  172,726  blacksmiths,  and  the  value  of  live- 
stock in  the  United  States  is  $1,500,464,609  conse- 
quently, the  preservation  of  this  enormous  quantity  of 
usefulness  is  indeed  important.  This  information  was 
furnished  me  direct  from  Washington  last  year. 

The  apprentices  think  they  know  as  much  as  their 
"boss"  does,  and  so  they  say  to  themselves,  "What 
in  the  world  is  the  use  of  my  staying  here  another 
year,  when  I  might  be  in  business  for  myself  and 
thereby  make  much  more  money  ?"     So  they  hire  a 


PRACTICAL   SUGGESTIONS   ON   HORSESHOEING.      1 29 

shop,  get  a  pair  of  blowers  and  an  anvil,  and  a  few 
other  implements  they  have  learned  to  at  least  call  by 
name,  and  at  once  advertise  to  shoe  a  horse  in  the 
most  scientific  manner  for  seventy-five  cents.  The 
result  is  that  a  great  many  farmers  and  others  owning 
horses,  who  are  not  well  informed,  patronize  them. 
In  a  few  months  the  horse  has  corns,  overreach,  in- 
terfere, suffer  from  swinney,  shoulder-jam,  and  many 
other  complaints  too  numerous  to  mention,  and  which 
are  called  by  any  name  a  quack  doctor  gives  them. 
Suppose  your  animal  has  been  crippled  for  life  by  a 
seventy-five  cent  blacksmith.  Let  me  say  right  here 
that  no  one  can  shoe  a  horse  properly  for  seventy-five 
cents  and  exist.  He  must,  in  equity,  be  paid  from  two 
to  five  dollars.  A  shoe  should  never  remain  on  over 
four  to  six  weeks;  then  have  it  reset,  and  always  pat- 
ronize smiths  who  have  been  perfected  in  their  pro- 
fession. 

I  am  often  asked  how  to  cure  a  horse  of  corns,  and 
my  invariable  answer  is,  "  Simply  remove  the  cause." 
If  you  have  a  corn  on  your  own  foot  you  would  either 
cut  your  old  shoes  or  buy  a  larger  and  better-fitting 
pair.  Now  apply  the  same  treatment  to  the  horse. 
If  he  has  a  corn,  simply  take  the  pressure  off  the  quar- 
ter where  the  corn  is.  Cut  off  the  top  part  of  the 
corn,  and  after  the  pressure  is  removed  it  will  grad- 
ually get  well.  In  the  winter  time  keep  the  foot 
covered.  Put  in  tar,  or  something  similar.  There 
are  a  great  many  so-called  specialists  who  claim  to 
cure  corns,  etc.;  but  my  advice  is  to  patronize  only  a 
first-class  blacksmith.  If  he  does  not  succeed  in  the 
first  few  days,  don't  go  off  and  try  some  one  else,  but 
stick  to  him,  as  he  will  be  more  likely,  after  seeing  the 
horse  a  few  times,  to  ascertain  and  remedy  the  com- 
Tjlaint  quicker  than  any  one  else. 
9 


i30  HOW   TO    EDUCATE   HORSES. 

When  we  say  a  horse  overreaches,  we  mean  that 
the  horse,  owing  to  the  propelling  power  of  the  hind 
feet,  cannot  get  the  front  feet  out  of  the  way  quick 
enough.  Now,  to  remedy  this,  have  your  horse  shod 
with  the  toe-weight  shoe  on  the  front  feet.  Thus,  hav- 
ing four  ounces  more  on  the  toe  than  on  the  back,  the 
power  is  equalized.  Have  a  wide  web  shoe  on  the  out- 
side foot  and  a  narrow-web  shoe  on  the  inside.  The 
philosophy  of  this  is  that  by  putting  toe-weight  on 
the  horse's  front  feet  you  give  him  more  knee  action, 
and  by  putting  side-weight  on  the  hind  foot  you 
spread  his  hind  feet  out  when  the  horse  picks  them 
up.  This  will  stop  them  from  overreaching  if  prop- 
erly done.  The  foot  must  be  pared  perfectly  level. 
I  also  recommend  this  toe-weight  shoe  for  a  horse 
that  stumbles.  He  does  this  because  he  has  not  the 
proper  knee  action — sometimes  because  he  is  too  lazy, 
which  the  driver  will  understand. 

If  you  have  a  horse  whose  foot  is  badly  contracted 
in  the  spring  of  the  year,  apply  the  half  shoes  called 
toe-tips.  Place  them  on  the  horse's  front  feet,  leav- 
ing the  full  frog  pressure.  They  should  be  made 
cut  down  at  the  end  of  the  shoe,  leaving  the  heel  of 
the  foot  perfectly  level  with  the  shoe.  Do  not  have 
it  slanted  down,  as  a  great  many  do,  with  a  knife,  but 
have  it  cut  right  off  square  with  the  heel  to  cor- 
respond. In  poulticing,  in  order  to  soften  up  this 
foot,  if  the  foot  is  dry,  use  the  following  preparation: 
Linseed  meal,  one  quart;  charcoal,  one  pint;  raw 
onions,  one  quart.  Mix  all  together,  with  hot  water, 
and  make  up  as  a  poultice.  Now  take  a  piece  of 
blanket,  about  a  foot  or  a  foot  and  a  half  square. 
Put  the  poultice  in  the  middle  of  it,  and  step  the 
horse's  foot  into  it,  bringing  up  the  cloth  around  the 
ankle.     Do  this   every  twelve  hours  for  five  applica- 


PRACTICAL   SUGGESTIONS   ON  HORSESHOEING.     13I 

tions,  and  at  the  same  time  use  good,  strong  liniment 
(but  one  that  will  not  blister)  on  the  cords  of  the 
animal's  leg,  from  knee  to  foot.  This  will  prevent  in- 
flammation. If  you  wish  to  expand  the  hoof,  never 
put  in  any  screws  to  force  the  same,  as  it  is  an  im- 
possibility to  do  it.  If  you  desire  to  do  it  quickly, 
use  your  medicine  on  the  hoof-band  of  the  horse's 
foot,  known  as  the  coronet.  When  the  top  of  the  foot 
is  loosened  and  expands,  the  bottom  is  bound  to  go 
out  with  the  top.  This  is  the  only  practicable  way  of 
expanding  the  horse's  hoof. 

Now  for  another  point.  A  great  many  specialists  are 
going  around  advertising  to  cure  swinney,  shoulder- 
jam,  etc.  I  wish  to  inform  you  that  there  are  no  such 
diseases  known  to  the  veterinary  profession.  Some 
quack,  whose  grandparents  left  him  an  almanac  of 
about  1842  that  tells  how  to  cure  three  or  four  com- 
mon complaints,  thinks  he  has  learned  everything, 
and  at  once  starts  out  as  a  horse-doctor.  He  is  the 
only  one  who  knows  what  these  diseases  are,  and  for 
a  certain  amount  of  money  he  will  guarantee  to  cure 
anything.  To  cure  quarter-cracks,  you  pare  off  all 
your  horse's  quarters,  the  same  as  for  corns.  I  some- 
times use  in  this  case  a  bar  shoe,  which  I  consider  a 
very  good  thing.  In  a  great  many  cases  you  can 
work  your  horse  every  day;  but  let  it  heal  gradually, 
as  it  takes  some  months  to  grow  out  a  quarter-crack. 
If  it  is  a  very  bad  case,  grow  it  down  as  fast  as  pos- 
sible; and  when  nicely  grown  down,  sell  or  trade  the 
horse  to  the  best  bidder. 

And  now  about  the  nails  to  be  used  in  horseshoe- 
ing. Some  smiths  use  one  size  nail  for  all  sizes  of 
horse — a  9  nail  for  ponies,  and  for  horses  weighing 
1400  pounds.  For  a  liorse  which  weighs  from  900  to 
1050,  I  advise  a  6  nail  for  the  front  foot,  and  a  5  for 


132  HOW   TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 

the  hind  foot.  Heavier  horses  require  nails  in  pro- 
portion. The  front  shoe  should  be  nailed  on  with  six 
nails,  three  on  each  side,  not  too  far  back  at  the  heel. 
The  hind  shoe  can  be  fastened  with  three  nails  on  the 
outside  and  two  nails  on  the  inside.  Drive  nails 
home  and  clinch  down  nicely. 

A  few  words  in  regard  to  toe-crack.  This  defect 
is  from  the  same  cause  as  the  quarter-crack,  ancj  ap- 
pears in  both  fore  and  hind  feet.  Clean  the  crack 
well,  cutting  with  a  sharp  knife  the  dead  horn  from 
each  side  of  it,  and  shoe  as  advised  for  quarter-crack, 
putting  the  bearing  on  the  frog  and  three  quarters  of 
the  foot.  If  the  hoof  is  weak  from  long  contraction 
and  defective  circulation,  I  use  a  shoe  with  four  calks 
— two  heel-calks  and  two  toe-calks,  one  on  each  side  of 
the  toe.  Have  these  calks  high  enough  so  that  the 
frog  will  not  strike  on  the  ground.  The  result  is,  the 
weight  of  the  horse  is  thrown  on  the  outside  of  the 
foot.  The  pressure  is  now  at  the  toe,  and  none  at 
the  heel.  The  result  is,  every  time  the  horse  puts  his 
foot  down  the  crack  closes  together.  A  few  weeks 
standing  on  these  shoes  will  have  a  great  effect. 

Some  riders  have  a  habit  which  I  do  not  approve. 
When  they  come  in  from  a  ride,  particularly  in  the 
spring  of  the  year,  and  their  horse's  legs  are  covered 
with  mud,  they  direct  the  groom  to  turn  a  hose  on 
the  leg.  The  cold  water  has  a  bad  effect,  and  brings 
on  sundry  complaints.  Let  the  mud  stay  on  until  it 
dries,  then  remove  it  with  a  brush.  It  will  come  out 
very  easily,  and  look  fully  as  well  as  if  washed. 

Thrush. — This  is  a  very  disagreeable  discharge  of 
offensive  matter  from  the  cleft  of  the  frog,  by  which 
pus  is  secreted  together  with,  or  instead  of,  horn.  If 
the  frog  is  sound,  the  cleft  sinks  but  a  little  way 
into  it,  but  by  contraction,  or  other  causes,  the  cleft 


PRACTICAL   SUGGESTIONS   ON   HORSESHOEING.      1 33 

will  penetrate  to  the  sensitive  sole  within.  Through 
this  fissure  the  discharge  proceeds.  It  may  be  caused 
by  bruises  or  filth.  The  sinking-in  at  the  quarters 
will  cause  the  horn  to  press  upon  the  frog,  or  cutting 
the  frog  will  cause  it  to  become  hard  and  horny.  It 
can  be  distinguished  from  any  other  disease  by  the 
offensive  smell.  Run  a  stick  into  the  fissure,  and  the 
discharge  will  assure  you.  I  recommend  my  regular 
cure.     First  poultice,  etc. 

In  regard  to  the  many  novel  inventions  of  the  day 
in  horseshoes,  I  would  say  I  do  not  endorse  any  of 
them.  I  endorse  simply  the  old  common-sense  shoe, 
plain  as  possible. 

I  hope,  gentlemen,  that  the  few  points  I  have  men- 
tioned will  be  of  some  benefit  to  you  and  to  the  whole 
horse  race,  which,  under  our  present  system,  is  en- 
during untold  suffering,  and  that  they  will  lead  to  the 
patronage  and  recognition  of  first-class  blacksmiths 
only.  Let  them  be  encouraged  by  the  payment  of  a 
fair  price.  On  the  horse-owners  present  I  wish  to 
impress  my  old  motto — No  foot,  no  horse. 


34 


HOW   TO   EDUCATE    HORSES. 


HEADS  OF  HORSES  FOR  SPEED. 


HtADS  UF   DRAFT  HORSES, 


PART    SIXTH. 


DISEASES   OF   HORSES. 


SIGNS  OF  DISEASE  IN  THE  HORSE. 

The  horse  being  unable  to  describe  to  us  his  feel- 
ings and  tell  us  the  seat  of  pain,  we  are  compelled  to 
rely  on  such  signs  and  symptoms  as  we  can  discover 
by  various  means  to  determine  the  nature  of  his  ail- 
ments. A  few  of  the  more  common  symptoms,  or 
signs  of  disease,  will  now  be  considered.  But  to  de- 
termine exactly  the  character  of  any  particular  case 
of  disease,  the  combination  of  symptoms  presented 
will  have  to  be  considered.  In  what  follows,  how- 
ever, important  landmarks  are  presented  which  may 
be  useful  in  guiding  to  correct  conclusions. 

THE    PULSE. 

The  pulse  of  a  medium-sized,  healthy  horse  beats 
about  forty  per  minute.  The  pulse  of  a  small  horse 
may  be  a  few  more,  or  of  a  larger  one  a  beat  or  two 
less.  Age  decreases  the  pulse  slightly.  Any  consider- 
able increase  of  the  pulse  over  forty  pe'r  minute  indi- 
cates fever  or  inflammation,  and  other  symptoms  must 
be  looked  for  to  determine  the  particular  locality  of 
the  disease.  When  great  weakness  ensues,  the  pulse 
becomes  fluttering. 


136  HOW    TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 


THE    MEMBRANE    OF    THE    NOSE. 

This,  in  health,  is  of  a  light-pink  color;  in  fever  or 
inflammation,  it  is  red.  If  of  the  lungs  or  air-pas- 
sages, it  is  more  deeply  colored,  and  specked  with 
brown  mucus.  In  the  very  last  stage  of  most  diseases, 
when  death  is  about  taking  place,  the  membrane  of 
the  nose  becomes  of  a  dark,  leaden,  or  livid  color,  with 
specks  of  ulceration  over  it.  In  scarlet  fever  it  is 
covered  with  scarlet  spots. 

THE    EARS, 

in  disease,  lose  their  erectness  and  quickness  of 
motion,  and  become  dull,  loose,  and  fallen;  falling  for- 
ward if  the  head  is  down,  and  backward  if  it  is  raised, 
in  all  diseases  affecting  the  system  generally.  The 
ears  are  cold  in  inflammation  of  the  lungs  and  pleurisy; 
slightly  so  in  other  diseases,  as  colic,  etc. 

THE    EYES. 

Weeping  of  the  eyes  is  observed  in  colds,  strangles, 
catarrhal  fever,  and  glanders.  When  the  eyes  become 
glassy  in  the  advanced  stage  of  disease,  it  indicates 
that  death  is  about  to  take  place. 

THE    MOUTH 

is  hot  in  fevers  and  inflammations.  The  mouth  and 
tongue  are  clammy  and  offensive  in  severe  colds. 

THE    BREATHING. 

The  breathing  is  rapid  in  fevers;  laborious  in  inflam- 
mation of  the  lungs;  laborious,  short,  and  catching  in 
pleurisy,  and  difficult  in  thick  wind.  The  nostrils  are 
much  spread  in  inflammation  of  the  lungs  and  pleurisy. 


DISEASES   OF   HORSES.  I37 

The  breath  is  hot.     Deep,  snoring  breathing  indicates 
disease  of  the  brain. 

THE    FEET. 

Coldness  of  the  feet  indicates  inflammation  of  im- 
portant internal  organs,  as  the  lungs,  pleura,  bowels, 
bladder,  etc.  Heat  and  tenderness  of  the  feet  occur 
in  founder. 

THE     HAIR. 

The  hair  is  dry  and  staring  in  farcy,  glanders,  indi- 
gestion, hide-bound  from  any  cause,  worms,  mange, 
consumption,  surfeit,  all  diseases  of  the  skin,  and 
starvation.  The  hair  comes  out  in  patches  in  mange, 
and  in  spots  in  surfeit. 

THE    SKIN. 

Heat  of  the  skin  is  one  of  the  principal  signs  of  ex- 
ternal local  inflammation;  it  also  shows  the  presence 
of  some  fevers  of  a  general  character.  A  yellowness 
about  the  mouth,  eyes  and  nose  shows  jaundice,  or 
inflammation  of  the  liver.  Redness  of  the  skin  of  the 
heels  is  a  forerunner  of  grease  or  scratches.  Dryness 
and  huskiness  of  the  skin  and  hair  indicate  consti- 
tutional derangement,  either  of  a  chronic  character, 
or  it  may  be  some  acute  disease  already  present  or 
just  coming  on,  as  pleurisy  or  inflammation  of  the 
lungs,  in  which  the  skin  of  the  legs  is  cool  or  cold 
throughout. 

THE     DUNG. 

The  appearance  of  the  horse's  dung  shows  the  con- 
dition of  his  digestion.  The  dung  very  offensive,  like 
that  of  a  hog  or  human,  indicates  a  want  of  action  in 
the  absorbent  vessels  of  the  bowels,  which  is  a  form 
of  indigestion.  The  dung-balls  are  slimy  in  glanders, 
farcy,  and  worms. 


138  HOW   TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 

THE    WATER. 

The  urine  of  the  horse  undergoes  very  great  changes 
of  quantity,  color  and  thickness  when  the  animal  is  in 
perfect  health.  Stopping  of  the  urine,  or  when  it 
passes  only  a  little  at  a  time,  and  that  attended  with 
great  straining,  indicates  stricture,  inflammation  of  the 
kidneys  or  bladder.  Diabetes  is  told  by  the  composi- 
tion of  the  urine,  and  the  quantity;  bloody  water,  by 
its  being  mixed  with  blood. 

The  flanks  heave  in  inflammation  of  the  lungs, 
pleura,  and  bowels.  They  are  tucked  up  in  glanders, 
farcy,  indigestion,  jaundice,  and  other  diseases  in 
which  digestion  is  impaired.  A  kernel  will  be  felt  in 
the  inside  of  the  loose  skin  of  the  flank  in  the  groin, 
in  mange.     The  flanks  throb  in  thumps. 

Drooping  of  the  head  is  a  sign  present  in  a  great 
variety  of  diseases,  and  of  opposite  characters.  When 
it  is  observed,  other  symptoms  should  be  looked  for. 
It  is  most  marked  and  perfect  in  diseases  of  the  brain. 

LYING    DOWN. 

In  flatulent  colic  the  horse  lies  down  carefully,  rolls, 
and  tries  to  keep  on  his  back.  He  then  gets  up  quick. 
In  spasmodic  colic  he  lies  down  quick,  rolls  over 
quickly  several  times,  and  gets  up,  or  he  may  only  rise 
on  his  hips  and  sit  for  a  while  and  then  roll  again,  or 
get  up.  In  inflammation  of  the  bowels  he  lies  down 
carefully,  and  lies  stretched  out  and  paws,  or  strikes, 
with  his  fore  feet. 

STANDING     STILL. 

In  locked-jaw,  the  horse  stands  wide,  and  fixed  as  a 
statue.  In  inflammation  of  the  lungs  he  stands  with 
his  head  inclining  and  his  fore  feet  forward,  and  does 


DISEASES   OF   HORSES.  1 39 

not  want  to  move;  and  if  he  lies  down,  he  gets  up 
instantly.  In  pleurisy,  the  same  way,  but  may  lie 
down  for  a  time. 

POINTING    WITH    THE    NOSE. 

The  horse  points  with  his  nose  to  the  flanks,  in  in- 
flammation of  the  bowels  and  colic;  and  turns  his  neck 
carefully  and  looks  at  his  side,  but  does  not  put  his 
nose  to  the  body,  in  pleurisy.  In  inflammation  of  the 
foot  or  acute  founder,  he  points  his  nose  to  the  foot. 

Pointing  the  fore  foot  indicates  atrophy  of  the  mus- 
cles of  the  shoulder,  called  swinney.  Pointing  first 
one  and  then  the  other  is  a  symptom  of  founder  or 
rlieumatism.  Dragging  the  fore  foot  shows  disloca- 
tion of  the  shoulder-joint. 

Staggering,  in  most  diseases,  as  colic,  for  example, 
indicates  approaching  death.  It  is  a  symptom  of 
hysterics,  palsy,  and  poisoning  with  narcotics. 

Straddling  is  a  symptom  of  inflammation  of  the 
kidneys,  bladder,  and  strain  of  the  back. 

Stiffness  in  walking  occurs  in  big  head,  farcy,  foun- 
der, lung  fever,  pleurisy,  hysterics,  and  rheumatism. 

Twitching  of  the  skin  on  the  side  occurs  in  pleurisy. 

Delirium  occurs  in  inflammation  of  the  brain, 
vertigo,  apoplexy,  and  stomach  staggers. 

Drying  up  of  the  perspiration,  or  sweat,  very 
suddenly,  when  the  horse  is  being  driven  or  worked, 
is  an  indication  that  he  is  about  taking  pleurisy  or 
inflammation  of  the  lungs,  or  some  other  severe  form 
of  inflammation. 


140  HOW   TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 


REMEDIES  AND  DIRECTIONS. 

INFLAMMATION. 

From  hiflainmo,  to  burn.  This  is  one  of  the  most 
common  forms  of  disease  presented  to  the  veterinary- 
surgeon,  and  regarding  which  many  erroneous  opin- 
ions have  prevailed,  in  consequence  of  which  much 
injury  and  often  serious  consequences  have  resulted. 
Sound  medical  practice  must  be  based  upon  sound 
medical  principles.  A  correct  understanding  of  the 
term  inflammation  will  assist  us  very  materially  in 
understanding  the  pathology  of  diseases  in  their  most 
common  forms.  A  few  years  since  every  form  of 
disease  occurring  in  our  domestic  animals  was  re- 
garded and  treated  as  some  form  of  inflammation. 
Purging  and  bleeding  were  the  order  of  the  day.  How 
different  the  practice  of  the  present  day,  especially 
during  the  last  ten  years! 

The  manner  in  which  inflammation  has  been  written 
upon  has  made  it  a  subject  perfectly  bewildering  to 
the  general  reader,  and  from  its  being  associated  w^ith 
everything  in  actual  practice,  no  idea  of  a  very  definite 
kind  with  regard  to  it  will  for  a  long  time  occur  to 
his  mind.  With  a  view  to  overcome  this  difficulty,  we 
will  give  the  most  simple  definitions  of  the  term  "in- 
flammation." It  is  an  unnatural  and  perverted  action 
of  and  in  the  capillary  blood-vessels,  attended  with 
redness,  throbbing,  swelling,  pain,  heat,  and  disorder 
of  functions,  with  change  in  both  its  fluid  and  solid 
constituents,  as  well  as  with  more  or  less  general  dis- 
turbances of  the  system, 


DISEASES   OF   HORSES.  I4I 

Capillaries. — The  blood  is  the  pabulum  from 
whence  is  elaborated  the  entire  organism,  as  well  as 
the  source  from  whence  are  derived  all  the  various 
secretions  and  excretions  of  the  system;  but  in  order 
that  these  purposes  may  be  accomplished,  it  is  nec- 
essary for  the  fluid  in  question  to  be  circulated 
through,  or  its  material  brought  in  contact  with,  every 
tissue  requiring  fresh  nutrition,  as  well  as  through  the 
various  secretory  and  excretory  organs.  To  effectually 
accomplish  this  we  find  a  class  of  structures  set  apart 
and  admirably  adapted  in  every  way  to  fulfill  the  pur- 
pose required.  The  first  of  these  is  the  heart  itself; 
next  come  the  large  blood  conduits,  the  arteries  which 
spring  from  the  former  as  the  tree  springs  from  the 
earth;  while  the  arteries,  again,  terminate  in  a  series 
of  vessels  of  wonderful  minuteness,  just  as  the  boughs 
of  a  tree  terminate  in  twigs.  These  minute  vessels 
are  denominated  capillaries.  The  capillaries  ramify, 
and  are  placed  in  the  most  intimate  relation  with  every 
tissue  throughout  the  body  within  whose  substance  re- 
production and  decay  are  in  perpetual  operation,  as 
well  as  with  those  organs  whose  duty  it  is  to  furnish 
or  separate  the  secretions  and  excretions  already  re- 
ferred to.  Each  tissue  selects  from  the  common 
pabulum,  the  blood,  thus  sent  to  it,  the  peculiar  prin- 
ciple it  requires  to  support  its  own  life  and  integrity. 

The  usual  terminations  of  inflammation  are  resolu- 
tion, mortification,  suppuration,  ulceration,  hemor- 
rhage, effusion,  hepatization,  and  ossification.  ist. 
By  Resolution  is  meant  the  state  of  the  tissues  after 
their  recovery  from  the  effects  of  inflammation.  2d. 
Mortification  is  a  loss  of  vitality,  or  the  death  of  the 
tissues  involved.  3d.  Suppuration  is  a  collection  of 
purulent  matter,  which  receives  the  name  of  an  abcess. 
.|th.  Ulceration,  a  purulent  solution  of  the  continuity 


142  HOW  TO   EDUCATE  HORSES. 

of  the  soft  parts,  arising  from  loss  of  substance.  5th. 
Ossification— formation  of  bone — change  of  soft  struc- 
tures into  bone.  6th.  Hemorrhage  occurs  as  a  direct 
or  indirect  consequence  of  inflammation,  from  ulcera- 
tion penetrating  through  the  coats  of  an  artery.  7th. 
Effusion,  an  exudation  of  serum,  or  watery  accumula- 
tion, as  dropsy.  8th.  Hepatization,  conversion  of  a 
texture  into  a  substance  like  liver. 

The  account  we  give  is  necessarily  brief,  but  we 
trust  it  is  sufficient  to  furnish  the  reader  with  a  clear 
conception  of  the  matter  in  hand,  and  in  turn  enable 
him  to  clearly  comprehend  that  which  is  to  follow. 

DISEASE    OF    THE    MOUTH,    OR    LAMPAS. 

Symptoms. — Swelling  of  the  gums  and  bars,  and  roof 
of  the  mouth.  In  many  colts  and  horses  it  occasions 
but  little  or  no  inconvenience,  while  in  others  the 
pain  is  so  great  as  to  interfere  with  their  feeding. 

Treatment. — Some  barbarous  pretenders  burn  with 
hot  iron.  But  act  humanely.  Lance  the  bars,  or  use 
the  jack-knife  if  you  can  get  nothing  better;  use  judg- 
ment, and  in  a  few  days  the  animal  will  feel  as  usual. 

SORE    MOUTH. 

This  occurs  often  by  jerking  the  animal  severely 
with  the  bit;  often  from  some  unknown  cause.  Ap- 
ply wash  with  swab. 

Tr.  Myrrh 4  oz. 

Sol.  Alum-water 4  oz. 

UNEVEN  TEETH. 

The  motar  teeth  of  the  horse  very  frequently  become 
sharp  and  irregular,  interfering  with  the  mastication 
to  such  an  extent  as  to  cause  the  digestive  organs  to 
become  impaired,  giving  rise  to  an  unhealthy  condi- 


DISEASES   OF   HORSES.  I43 

tion  of  the  system.  At  times  the  cheek  becomes  lacer- 
ated by  the  sharp  edges,  causing  it  to  become  tender 
and  sore.  The  case  can  only  be  remedied  by  the  tooth- 
rasp,  an  instrument  made  for  the  purpose,  to  be  used 
by  a  careful  hand. 

WOLF-TEETH. 

Tiiese  are  two  small  teeth  which  make  their  appear- 
ance immediately  in  front  of  the  upper  molar  teeth 
during  the  period  from  the  colt  to  horsehood.  It  is 
supposed  by  some  horsemen  that  they  injuie  the  eye 
of  the  horse.  No  author  that  I  have  ever  read  de- 
scribes or  defines  clearly  that  they  do  really  injure  the 
eye,  or  say  what  causes  them  to  appear  as  they  do. 
The  only  remedy  is  the  tooth  forceps. 

SPASMODIC    COLIC. 

Symptoms. — The  horse  begins  to  shift  his  posture, 
looks  around  at  his  flank,  paws  violently,  strikes  his 
belly  with  his  feet,  lies  down,  rolls,  and  that  frequently 
on  his  back;  the  horse  bloats,  sweating  takes  place, 
and  the  pulse  is  feeble. 

Treatment. — Take,  while  on  his  feet,  a  fork-handle, 
being  the  nearest  and  best  thing  at  hand;  place  the 
tines  in  the  halter  or  bridle,  or  straddle  the  upper  jaw 
and  raise  the  head  as  high  as  possible  three  or  four 
times,  which  will  often  have  a  tendency  to  relieve  by 
stretching  out  the  intestine,  so  that  the  food  and  air 
can  pass.  The  intestine,  it  is  said,  often  becomes  en- 
tangled, or  folds  so  that  air  cannot  pass,  which  sets  the 
whole  internal  matter  to  fill  with  air  and  bloats  to  the 
fullest  extent.  It  would  be  well  to  remark,  right  here, 
that  the  coating  of  the  horse's  stomach  becomes  cor- 
roded and  sour  or  foul  often  from  improper  feed; 
whereas,  if  kept  in  proper  shape  by  the  use  of  flax- 


144  HOW   TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 

seed  tea  or  mucilage,  followed  by  a  tonic  in  shape 
of  a  powder  to  sweeten  and  cleanse  the  stomach  and 
intestines,  colic  and  inflammation  would  not  so  often 
occur. 

Ext.  Ess.  Peppermint 2  oz. 

Tr.  Belladonna 20  to  30  drops. 

In  a  drench,  say  i  pint  cup  of  warm  water  every  two 
hours  until  relieved;  very  seldom  the  second  dose  has 
to  be  given.  Follow  with  a  strong  injection  of  Castile 
soap  and  water,  say  from  4  to  6  quarts  of  soft  water; 
repeat  in  fifteen  minutes  if  no  passage;  clothe  warm. 
Use  judgment  not  to  let  the  horse  bang  his  head  and 
body  while  in  the  severe  spasms. 

INFLAMMATION    OF    THE    BOWELS. 

Symptoms. — There  are  two  varieties  of  this  disease. 
The  first  is  the  inflammation  of  the  external  coats  of 
the  intestines,  accompanied  by  considerable  fever  and 
costiveness.  The  second  is  that  of  the  internal  mu- 
cous coat,  usually  the  consequence  of  an  over-dose  of 
physic,  accompanied  by  violent  purging. 

But  the  causes,  symptoms,  and  treatment  of  both  are 
so  much  alike  that  it  would  be  raising  unnecessary 
difficulties  to  endeavor  to  distinguish  between  them. 
In  either  case  the  animal  will  be  noticed  with  a  shiver- 
ing fit;  the  mouth  will  be  hot,  the  lining  of  the  nose 
red,  pulse  quick  and  wiry,  ears  and  legs  cold,  the  belly 
hot,  the  animal  will  shrink  at  the  touch  and  groan, 
bowels  costive,  and  the  patient  becomes  fearfully 
weak.  In  extreme  cases  the  pulse  is  scarcely  to  be 
felt. 

The  causes  of  this  disease  originate  from  sudden 
exposure  to  cold,  especially  where  highly  fed  and 
groomed,  going  too  long  without  food,  over-exertion, 


DISEASES   OF   HORSES.  145 

drinking  too  much  cold  water,  cooling  off  suddenly, 
etc.,  etc. 

Treatment. — Get  the  patient  in  comfortable  quar- 
ters with  as  little  noise  as  possible.  Take  tr.  bella- 
donna and  ess.  sassafras,  each  i  oz.,  and  give  -J  tea- 
spoon in  i  tea-cup  of  water  in  a  drench,  say  every  three 
hours,  together  with  a  sufficiency  of  flax-seed  or  slip- 
pery-elm tea;  also  an  injection  of  soft  water  and  Cas- 
tile soap — add  to  4  quarts  say,  i  tea-spoon  of  the  tr. 
belladonna,  repeat  as  often  as  you  deem  necessary.  Be 
particular  to  have  good  care  taken,  and  observe  as  much 
quiet  as  possible.  Give  what  cold  water  he  will  drink, 
with  a  sufficiency  of  green  fodder,  or  mash  or  gruel. 
As  the  patient  grows  better  lessen  the  dose  still  one- 
half,  and  give  every  six  hours  until  relief  is  obtained. 
The  less  you  irritate  the  bowels  by  rash  medicines,  the 
less  you  are  liable  to  inflame.  Usually  the  disease 
lasts  from  five  to  fourteen  days,  but  it  differs  in  length 
of  time  according  to  the  severity  of  the  case.  Apply 
a  mustard  plaster  or  a  liniment  to  excite  and  draw  to 
the  surface  more  or  less  of  the  inflammation.  A  severe 
and  protracted  case  usually  proves  fatal. 

WORMS. 

Worms  of  different  kinds  inhabit  the  intestines,  but, 
except  when  they  exist  in  great  numbers,  they  are  not 
so  hurtful  as  is  generally  supposed.  From  close  ob- 
servation, the  worms  are  no  particular  damage  unless 
in  excess  in  the  stomach  and  intestines  by  not  pass- 
ing off  through  the  intestines  and  out  of  the  rectum, 
as  nature  requires.  The  long  white  worm,  much  re- 
sembling the  common  earth-worm,  and  being  from  six 
to  ten  inches  long,  inhabits  the  small  intestines.  It  is 
a  formidable-looking  animal,  and  if  there  are  many  of 
them  they  may  consume  more  than  can  be  spared  of 
10 


146  HOW   TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 

the  nutrient  part  of  the  food  or  mucus  of  the  bowels. 
We  think  we  have  a  tight  skin,  a  rough  coat,  and 
tucked-up  belly  connected  with  their  presence.  They 
have  even  been  voided  in  large  quantities,  and  when 
they  are  not  thus  voided  we  should  be  disposed  to 
trace  those  symptoms  to  other  causes.  A  dose  of 
physic  will  sometimes  bring  away  almost  incredible 
quantities  of  them. 

A  smaller,  dark-colored  worm,  called  the  needle- 
worm,  inhabits  the  large  intestines.  Hundreds  of 
them  sometimes  descend  into  the  rectum,  and  im- 
mense quantities  have  been  found  in  the  intestines. 
These  are  a  more  serious  pest  than  the  former,  for 
they  cause  a  very  serious  irritation  about  the  funda- 
ment, which  sadly  annoys  the  horse.  A  good  dose  of 
physic  is  the  favorite  remedy.  Often  injections  of  tr. 
aloes  or  asafoetida,  combined  with  Castile  soap,  are 
very  beneficial.  The  tape-worm  is  very  seldom  found 
in  the  horse. 

INFLAMMATION     OF    THE    KIDNEYS    AND    BLADDER. 

Symptoms. — This  is  no  uncommon  disease  in  the 
horse,  and  is  more  unskilfully  and  fatally  treated  than 
almost  any  other.  The  first  symptoms  are  generally 
fever,  but  the  seat  of  the  disease  soon  becomes  evi- 
dent. The  horse  looks  anxiously  around  at  his  flanks, 
stands  with  his  hind  legs  apart,  straddles  as  he  walks, 
expressing  pain  in  turning,  shrinks  when  the  loins  are 
pressed,  and  some. degree  of  heat  is  felt  there;  the 
urine  is  voided  in  small  quantities,  and  frequently  is 
high-colored  and  sometimes  bloody;  the  attempt  is 
made  to  void  urine  until  the  animal  strains  painfully 
and  violently,  but  the  discharge  is  nearly  suppressed; 
the  pulse  is  quick  and  hard  in  the  early  stages  of  the 
disease.     These  symptoms  clearly  indicate  an  affection 


DISEASES   OF  HORSES.  I47 

of  the  urinary  organs,  but  they  do  not  distinguish  in- 
flammation of  the  kidneys  from  that  of  the  bladder. 
The  hand  must  be  introduced  into  the  rectum;  and  if 
the  bladder  be  felt  full  and  hard  under  the  rectum, 
there  is  inflammation  of  the  neck  of  the  bladder,  if 
the  bladder  be  empty;  yet  if  on  the  portion  of  the  in- 
testines immediately  over  it  there  be  more  than  natural 
heat  and  tenderness,  there  is  inflammation  of  the  body 
of  the  bladder;  but  if  the  bladder  be  empty  and  there 
be  no  increased  heat  and  tenderness,  there  is  inflam- 
mation of  the  kidney. 

Causes. — Often  sprain  of  the  loin,  short,  quick  turns, 
by  being  driven  too  far  and  fast,  unaccustomed  to 
hard  usage;  severe  cold,  and  soreness  through  the 
whole  system  by  over-exertion,  etc.,  etc. 

Treatment. — The  animal  should  be  clothed  warm 
and  the  legs  well  bandaged;  apply  a  mustard  plaster 
or  some  sweating  preparation  that  will  have  a  ten- 
dency to  draw  from  the  inflamed  parts. 

Oil  Juniper i  oz. 

Ess.   Cinnamon i  oz. 

To  be  given  in  a  drench  of  warm  water,  say  one- 
half  tea-cup  every  four  hours;  alternate  with  from  fif- 
teen to  thirty  drops  of  the  tr.  belladonna  to  quiet  and 
relieve  pain.  Let  the  patient  be  fed  on  soft  mash  or 
gruel.  Take  pains  to  dampen  what  hay  is  given.  A 
good,  roomy  box-stall  is  always  preferable,  with  a 
good  bed  and  a  careful  attendant.  The  less  noise  in 
his  sight  or  hearing,  the  better  it  will  be  for  him;  a 
sudden  start  excites  and  brings  back  the  pain.  The 
same  application  will  produce  a  good  effect  if  properly 
applied  for  both  diseases;  namely,  of  the  bladder  and 
kidney.  The  stoppage  of  the  urine  is  very  annoying 
to  a  person    who  does    not  understand  or  have  the 


148  HOW   TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 

proper  remedy  to  relieve  the  horse;  the  pain  becomes 
intense  and  cannot  be  endured  any  great  length  of 
time.  Often  medicine  given  will  have  no  effect  what- 
ever to  relieve  or  cause  the  horse  to  urinate.  Then 
the  catheter  should  be  brought  into  use,  when  relief 
will  be  obtained  at  once.  Hot  cloths  applied  to  the 
loin  will  often  assist  in  relieving  pain. 

POLL    EVIL    AND    FISTULA. 

Symptoms  and  Causes. — The  poll,  or  crest  of  the 
head,  is  swollen  on  the  top;  tlif  horse  generally  hangs 
the  head,  very  dull,  moves  around  seemingly  stiff  and 
sore,  often  occasioned  by  a  severe  jerk  or  strain  of  the 
head  and  neck  by  the  halter,  or  other  causes  too  well 
known  to  mention;  even  a  smart  blow  with  a  club,  etc. 
The  ligament  of  the  neck  passes  over  the  atlas,  or  first 
bone,  without  being  attached  to  it,  and  the  seat  of  the 
inflammation  is  between  the  ligaments  and  the  bone 
beneath;  and,  being  thus  deeply  situated,  it  is  serious 
in  its  nature  and  difficult  of  treatment. 

Remedy. — First  reduce  the  inflammation  by  apply- 
ing to  the  top  or  poll  of  the  head  a  good  and  sufficient 
flax-seed  poultice,  or  a  bran,  corn-meal,  or  slippery- 
elm  poultice, — either  will  do.  Apply  for  several  days 
until  the  soreness  is  gone;  then  apply  something  to 
scatter,  if  not  already  broken  out  and  formed  a  pipe 
sore.  If  broken,  cleanse  well,  take  a  probe  and  care- 
fully ascertain  the  depth  and  direction  of  the  pipe,  and 
insert  the  probe  with  a  piece  of  sponge  or  soft  muslin 
saturated  well  with  the  following  medicine:  Monsel 
solution  of  sub-sulphate  of  iron,  or  crystallized  carbolic 
acid.  Eitherwill  do.  Apply  every  day  until  relieved; 
in  the  mean  time  keep  the  parts  well  cleansed. 

Be  careful  how  you  treat  your  patient;  treat  him 
gently,  and  you  will  have  nothing  to  regret  after  you 


DISEASES   OF   HORSES.  I49 

have  him  cured.  The  head  is  a  very  sensitive  part. 
Very  of  ten  .  horses  have,  by  cruel  treatment,  become 
troublesome,  making  it  difficult  even  to  put  them  in 
harness.  If  the  horse  is  inclined  to  carry  his  nose  out, 
or  his  neck  seems  to  be  stiff,  when  it  commences  to 
heal  put  on  the  bitting  bridle,  get  his  head  in  shape, 
and  let  it  heal  so.  It  is  through  fear  he  carries  his 
head  straight  out.  The  secret  is,  the  bitting-bridle 
will  make  him  carry  it  natural  as  usual. 

Fistula. — The  same  medicine  is  to  be  used.  Often 
set  a  seton  in  to  create  an  inflammation  and  carry  off 
the  mucous  discharge*  cleanse  well  and  often;  rest  is 
better  in  both  the  above  cases.  Feed  well  while  under 
treatment,  and  get  the  general  system  in  order  by  giv- 
ing tonic  powders  to  cleanse  the  stomach.  This  treat- 
ment will  also  serve  to  purify  and  enrich  the  blood. 

SHOULDER    LAMENESS. 

Lameness  is  most  apt  to  arise  in  the  shoulder,  and 
also  in  the  corresponding  parts  of  the  hind  extremities, 
the  latter  having  a  bony  union  with  the  body  which 
prevents  or  rather  limits  undue  extension  of  the  mus- 
cles. The  lameness  may  exist  in  the  muscular  tissues, 
orat  a  point  of  articulation  between  theshoulderblade 
and  the  os  himieri. 

Symptoms. — The  principal  diagnostic  symptoms  are 
that  the  horse,  instead  of  advancing  the  leg  straight 
forward,  moves  in  a  circular  manner,  and  the  action 
of  the  shoulder  is  quite  different  from  that  on  the  op- 
posite side;  the  shrinking  away  of  the  shoulder  can  be 
plainly  observed;  also,  the  animal  throws  the  weight 
of  the  body  as  much  on  the  sound  side  as  possible. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  varies  according  to  the 
nature  of  the  specific  form  of  the  disease.  If  caused 
by    heavy    hauling    or    slipping   or    side    strain,    fo- 


150  now    TO    EDUCATE   HORSES. 

mentation  should  be  resorted  to  at  the  first  discovery 
of  the  lameness,  applying  hot  blankets  (to  be  kept  on 
the  parts  affected),  and  hand-rubbing  well,  will  often 
relieve  in  a  few  days.  Veterinarians  have  of  late  in- 
serted a  seton  in  the  shoulder  over  the  parts  affected, 
often  at  the  same  time  in  the  chest,  thus  getting  up  a 
counter  irritation  and  drawing  the  soreness  through 
the  skin  with  the  seton;  also  apply  a  sweating  liniment 
and  hand-rub  well.  Horses  have  been  treated  with 
very  good  success  by  the  mode  last  laid  down.  Rest 
is  very  essential  until  the  patient  is  fully  recovered. 


CAUSE    OF    SPLINT. 

A  good  deal  of  speculation  is  afloat  as  to  the  cause 
of  splint.  We  are  aware  that  it  may  be  produced  by 
a  blow  or  injury  in  the  form  of  a  sprain.  If  it  comes 
from  a  blow  or  injury  in  the  form  of  a  sprain,  we 
should  be  apt  to  consider  the  animal  himself  the  cause 
of  it  by  striking  the  opposite  foot;  although  he  gener- 
ally strikes  the  fetlock,  called  interfering,  or  else  the 
inside  of  the  knee;  but  he  may  once  in  a  while  have  an 
ill-adapted  shoe  placed  on  his  foot,  and  then,  in  con- 
sequence of  being  reined  up  suddenly  or  getting 
one  foot  into  a  hole,  may,  without  the  knowledge  of 
the  owner  or  person  riding  or  driving,  inflict  a  slight 
blow  on  the  inside  of  the  hind  foot,  which  may  prove, 
in  a  predisposed  subject,  the  exciting  cause  of  the 
affection. 

Cases  of  long  standing,  and  even  one  having  well 
marked  tumor  stiffness  or  lameness,  may  be  relieved 
by  an  occasional  application  of  a  cantharides  blister. 
Some  surgeons  blister  for  the  cure  of  splint,  others 
saw  off  the  tumor,  but  unfortunately  I  am  of  the  opin- 
ion that  splint  is  no  more  curable  than  the  spavin  or 


DISEASES   OF   HORSES.  151 

ringbone  when  once  the  cartilage  has  been  converted 
into  bone. 

•  Treatment. — Apply  a  sweating  liniment  in  the  first 
stages.  If  driven  let  the  horse  wear  a  knee-boot. 
Rest  is  essential  until  the  soreness  is  worn  off.  Ap- 
ply a  liniment  compound  of  the  following: 

Tr.  Capsicum 4  oz. 

Chloroform 4  oz. 

Olive-oil 4  oz. 

Mix  and  apply.  Repeat  as  often  as  you  think  neces- 
sary. 

CURB. 

A  curb  is  an  enlargement  which  makes  its  appear- 
ance on  the  hind  legs,  about  two  inches  below  the  hock. 
It  is  sometimes  occasioned  by  a  blow,  but  the  most 
frequent  cause  is  a  strain  of  the  sheath  through  which 
the  flexor  tendons  pass.  If  seen  in  its  early  stage  it 
would  in  all  probability  yield  to  rest  and  cold  water 
and  bandages;  but  if  neglected  until  effusion  takes 
place  and  thickening  intervenes  and  the  horse  becomes 
lame,  then  a  different  course  of  treatment  must  take 
place.  Our  usual  remedy  is  a  paste  made  of  the  fol- 
lowing, to  be  applied  morning  and  evening: 

Citron  ointment 3  oz. 

Pulv.  cantharides i  oz. 

Add  one  ounce  of  olive-oil  to  make  a  paste.  Cleanse 
well  before  an  application  is  made.  Apply  only  over 
parts  affected  and  heat  well  in.  Two  or  three  applica- 
tions are  all  that  are  necessary.  To  absorb  after  the 
sweating,  hand-rub  well  and  often.  The  whole  matter 
will  take  up  about  two  weeks  if  properly  attended  to. 


152  HOW   TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 

BOG  SPAVIN  OR  BLOOD  SPAVIN. 

In  its  early  stages  spavin  is  treated  the  same  as  curb; 
otherwise  other  treatment,  more  severe,  with  absolute 
rest.     The  causes  are  over-exertion. 

TETANUS    OR    LOCK-JAW. 

The  causes  and  symptoms  are  too  well  known  to 
need  any  description.  I  have  only  to  say  that  in  a 
severe  case  or  attack  of  it  the  patients  very  seldom  re- 
cover. No  author  of  any  veterinary  work  gives  any 
particular  treatment — can  only  say  that  it  is  doubtful 
if  a  horse  ever  recovers  from  an  attack  of  tetanus. 
The  disease  is  wholly  of  a  nervous  character.  In  the 
first  stages  there  is  a  disinclination  to  move;  the  tail 
becomes  erect  and  quivers,  the  ears  set  back,  the  con- 
junctiva is  thrown  over  the  pupil  of  the  eye,  and  the 
head  is  elevated.  As  the  disease  advances  the  muscles 
all  over  the  neck  and^body  become  stiff  and  rigid,  and 
the  legs  have  the  appearance  of  a  four-legged  stool,  the 
animal  having  little  or  no  power  to  move.  For  the 
first  few  days  the  teeth  remain  apart,  but  as  the  disease 
advances  the  muscles  of  the  jaw  become  so  contracted 
as  to  bring  them  close  together;  hence  the  name  of 
lock-jaw.  The  causes  are  numerous,  but  generally 
produced  from  a  wounded  nerve  or  bunch  of  nerves. 

Treatment. — Open  the  wound,  apply  an  ointment 
to  set  up  a  discharge,  rub  the  loin  with  strong  liniment 
well  and  often,  as  well  as  the  legs;  give  internal  stimu- 
lants, also  gruel,  and  clothe  well.  If  the  patient  mends 
it  will  be  within  five  days.  Relax  the  muscles  and 
they  will  recover  very  soon,  yet  the  case  is  very 
doubtful. 


DISEASES   OF   HORSES.  153 


DIARRHOEA    IN    HORSES. 


Causes.— Over-exertion,  bad  digestion  of  the  stom- 
ach, too  much  green  fodder,  too  much  water  and 
being  driven  rapidly  after,  inflammation  of  the  inner 
coating  of  the  bowels. 

Symptoms. — Easily  known  by  looseness  and  scouring 
of  the  horse.  If  left  to  run  it  will  lead  to  inflamma- 
tion, and  in  some  cases,  especially  in  hot  weather,  mor- 
tification often  sets  in;  then  the  patient  is  out  of  the 
reach  of  the  most  skillful  practitioner. 

The  usual  remedy  is  to  apply  a  hot  blanket  over  the 
loin  side,  /.  e.,  over  the  large  intestines,  for  a  consider- 
able length  of  time.  Give  internally  tr.  belladonna,  say 
thirty  drops  in  half  tea-cup  of  cold  water,  in  a  drench, 
and  repeat  every  four  hours;  also  a  sufficiency  of  flax- 
seed, mucilage,  or  slippery-elm  tea;  a  little  gruel  of 
wheat-flour  often.  Keep  the  patient  as  quiet  as  pos- 
sible. Give  four  quarts  of  cool  soft  water  to  drink  at 
a  time.  Ess.  peppermint,  two  oz.,  added  to  \  oz.  of 
opium,  in  a  drench,  together  with  the  teas  and 
gruel  mentioned.  An  injection  of  Castile  soap,  say 
two  to  four  quarts;  add  \  oz.  opium,  or  belladonna, 
which  will  assist.  As  the  patient  grows  better  lessen 
the  dose  to  half  the  amount  and  every  eight  hours; 
still  keep  up  the  teas;  they  are  very  essential  in  the 
disease  to  quiet  and  soothe.  Take  good  care  of  the 
patient  and  have  a  good  comfortable  stall,  well 
bedded,  and  as  little  noise  as  possible  near  the  horse. 

BOTS. 

There  has  been  and  is  so  much  misconception  about 
bots  and  their  destructiveness  to  the  horse,  that  a  few 
words  about  them  seem  advisable.    All  horses  that  are 


154  HOW   TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 

exposed  to  the  bot-fly  must,  as  a  result,  have  bots  in 
their  stomachs;  but  the  question  of  interest  is,  What  can 
you  do  for  the  cure  of  bots?  In  a  report  by  Dr.  Adams, 
published  in  the  Medical  and  Agricultural  Register^ 
he  stated  having  made  the  following  experiments  at 
different  times  on  the  bot,  three-fourths  grown: 

"When  immersed  in  rum  they  live  25  hours,  in  a  de- 
coction of  tobacco  II  hours,  in  strong  oil  of  vitriol  2 
hours  and  18  minutes,  in  essential  oil  of  mint  2  hours 
and  5  minutes.  They  were  immersed  without  apparent 
injury  in  spirits  of  camphor  10  hours,  fish  oil  49  hours, 
tr.  of  aloes  10  hours,  in  brine  10  hours.  A  number  of 
small  bots,  with  one  that  was  full  grown,  were  im- 
mersed in  a  strong  solution  of  corrosive  sublimate, 
one  of  the  powerful  poisons.  The  small  ones  died 
in  one  hour,  but  the  full-grown  one  was  taken  out  of 
the  solution  six  hours  after  its  immersion  apparently 
unhurt." 

Bots  hang  to  the  muscular  coating  of  the  stomach, 
on  the  upper  side.  We  see  very  plainly,  therefore, 
that  we  cannot  put  any  medicine  into  the  stomach 
that  will  affect  the  bot  which  will  not  at  the  same  time 
destroy  the  horse.  In  the  second  place,  there  is  no 
veterinary  surgeon  of  any  pretensions  to  skill,  or  re- 
cognized authority,  who  can  distinguish  the  symptoms 
of  the  colic  from  the  symptoms  of  the  bots;  no  atten- 
tion, in  fact,  is  given  to  the  subject  of  bots  in  practice. 
No  man  can  bring  to  bear  any  medical  aid  to  expel 
the  so-called  pest  from  the  horse's  stomach.  This  is 
the  opinion  of  the  best  veterinary  surgeons  in  the 
country.  Do  not  be  misled;  follow  the  treatment 
laid  down  for  colic,  and  follow  it  rigidly  and  perse- 
veringly. 


DISEASES   OF   HORSES.  155 

TO    GROW    HAIR. 

Add  as  much  sulphur  to  sweet  oil  as  will  make  it  as 
thick  as  cream;  apply  to  the  mane  and  tail,  rubbing 
in  thoroughly  at  least  twice  a  week.  This,  it  is  said, 
will  grow  hair  on  the  tail  and  mane  rapidly.  Must 
cleanse  parts  well  with  Castile  soap  and  water  each 
time  before  applying  the  ointment. 

GALLS,  CUTS  AND  SORES. 

Galls,  cuts  and  sores  should  be  kept  well  cleansed 
as  often  as  possible  with  Castile  soap  and  water,  and 
if  they  are  chafed  and  rubbed  by  the  harness,  the 
parts  of  the  harness  should  be  kept  clean  at  all  times 
wherever  they  touch  the  cut,  gall,  or  sore.  Apply  an 
ointment  of  the  following:  Pulv.  alum  4  oz.,  pulv. 
blood  root  4  oz.,  white  lead  4  oz.,  calomel  2  oz. 
Mix  with  glycerine,  sweet  oil,  or  lard,  to  make  an 
ointment.  I  have  never  known  it  to  fail  on  cuts, 
galls,  and  even  scratches. 

Or,  pulv.  Castile  soap  4  oz.,  camphor  gum  4  oz., 
calomel  2  oz.  Mix  with  glycerine,  sweet  oil,  or  lard, 
to  make  an  ointment.  I  have  known  galls  or  cuts  to 
heal  up  readily  while  at  work,  especially  if  the  horse's 
blood  is  well  cleansed. 

Drenching  is  the  best  mode  of  giving  medicine,  ex- 
cept in  powdered  form  in  damp  feed.  We  use  the 
twist  in  many  cases  to  control  the  patient.  For 
example,  to  put  in  setons,  to  dress  wounds,  in  using 
the  tooth-rasp,  in  operating  for  poll  evil,  in  fistula, 
etc.  Care  in  throwing  the  horse  and  securing  him 
well  before  operation  should  be  made  a  specialty. 
If  half  done  it  will  leave  a  chance  to  struggle,  some- 
times causing  a  rupture  of  the  blood  vessels,  or  in 
flouncing  around  make  him  very  sore. 


156  HOW   TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 

MANGE    OR    ITCH. 

The  symptoms  are  too  well  known  to  make  any  de- 
scription necessary.  Take  crystallized  carbolic  acid,  2 
oz.  to  a  gal.  of  soft  water,  and  apply  to  the  parts 
affected  two  or  three  times  a  day  until  relieved;  or, 
chloride  of  zinc  pulverized,  ^  oz.  to  a  gal.  of  soft 
water,  and  apply  as  above. 

LICE    ON    HORSES    AND    CATTLE. 

The  remedy  is  the  same  as  for  mange  or  itch,  only 
add,  say,  crystallized  carbolic  acid  i  oz.  to  a  gallon  of 
soft  water.  It  will  lay  them  out  fearfully  and  no  bad 
result  will  occur  to  the  stock. 

BROKEN    WIND. 

Causes  and  symptoms  well  known.  No  remedies, 
seemingly,  are  of  any  avail,  as  far  as  treatment  is  con- 
cerned, unless  little  to  eat  at  a  time.  Clothe  warmly, 
etc.  All  the  drugs  and  their  medical  properties  are 
of  little  or  no  use  towards  a  cure.  I  know  of  only 
one  remedy  to  cure  the  broken-winded  horse — trade 
him  off  and  get  one  whose  wind  is  all  right. 

ASTHMA    OR    HEAVES. 

Causes. — Over-exertion,  over-eating,  taking  one  cold 
after  another,  sweating  and  cooling  off  too  soon  in  a 
draft  of  air,  and  various  other  causes.  It  is  easier  for 
a  horse  to  get  the  so-called  heaves  than  it  is  to  get 
him  over  them.  In  most  cases  it  is  doubtful  if  horses 
ever  are  fully  restored  to  their  natural  breathing  after 
heaves  have  seated  on  the  internal  organs.  However, 
good  care  will  do  a  great  deal  for  nature.  Good  care 
is  known  to  be  the  best  half. 

The  following  powder  for  coughs,  colds  and  heaves 


DISEASES   OF   HORSES.  157 

has  been  used  with  good  success  for  several  years: 
Pulv.  skunk  cabbage  2  oz.,  pulv.  gentian  2  oz.,  pulv. 
lobelia  2  oz,,  pulv.  capsicum  2  oz.,  mixed  and  divided 
in  sixteen  powders,  morning  and  evening,  until  re- 
lieved; also,  fluid  extract  of  smartweed,  combined 
with  elecampane,  given  in  a  dose,  say  one  tablespoon 
in  a  drench  of,  say  one  half  teacup  of  warm  water 
three  times  a  day  for  three  or  four  days,  together  with 
flax-seed  tea  and  soft  food,  a  horse  will  do  much  bet- 
ter. Clothing  the  horse  will  also  assist  to  mend  his 
wind;  small  feeds  at  a  time,  little  water  and  often, 
little  or  no  hay,  and  dampen  well  what  he  does  have. 

FOUNDER. 

Causes  and  Symptoms. — First,  over-exertion  and 
over-gorging;  fast  and  laborious  work;  after  getting 
the  horse  well  heated  up,  cooling  off  too  quick;  sec- 
ond, hangs  his  head,  looks  dull  out  of  the  eyes, 
breathes  quick  and  heavy,  hard  work  to  walk,  trem- 
bles in  every  limb. 

Treatment. — Clothe  warm,  hand-rub  the  limbs 
well,  bathe  the  legs  well  in  water,  hot  as  can  be  borne 
with  the  hand,  for  one  half  an  hour  or  more  at  a  time; 
keep  him  where  the  wind  and  air  do  not  strike  too 
heavy;  dip  a  blanket  in  hot  water  and  put  over  the 
shoulder,  and  cover  over  with  a  dry  one;  give  a  bran 
mash  three  times  a  day;  open  the  bowels,  not  enough, 
however,  to  purge,  and  give  the  tr.  of  capsicum  i  oz., 
30  drops  tr.  aconite  in  a  drench,  say  -^  pint  cold  water; 
repeat  every  four  hours  until  relief.  As  soon  as  the 
fever  subsides  enough,  lessen  the  dose  one  half,  and 
as  the  patient  grows  better  make  the  doses  eight 
hours  apart;  still  keep  him  warmly  clothed,  and 
walking  exercise  as  much  as  he  will  bear  without 
overdoing  the    matter.      Always  exercise  judgment. 


158  HOW   TO    EDUCATE    HORSES. 

A  liniment  applied  to  the  limbs  and  well  hand-rubbed 
will  assist  very  materially.  The  patient  will  bear 
watching  for  some  time  after  he  seems  to  be  well;  he 
will  easily  take  cold.  "  Take  care"  is  the  first  word  of 
command,  or  "a  stitch  in  time  saves  nine." 

SORE    THROAT    OR    DISTEMPER. 

Causes. — Severe  and  sudden  colds;  changes  in  the 
weather.  Different  authors  have  many  different  ideas 
as  to  the  origin. 

Symptoms. — The  horse  seems  dumpish  and  drives 
very  dull,  hangs  his  head,  refuses  to  eat  or  drink.  As 
the  glands  of  the  throat  are  swollen  and  tender,  the 
tonsils  are  inflamed,  throat  seems  dry,  generally 
reaches  the  lung.  If  so,  takes  longer  to  rid  the  ani- 
mal of  this  troublesome  disease. 

Treatment. — Either  apply  a  sweating  liniment  to 
the  glands,  or,  better  still,  make  a  good  paste  of 
mustard  and  rub  well  in  from  the  root  of  the  ear, 
down  both  sides  of  his  neck  and  over  the  glands,  and 
cover  over  with  a  hood;  repeat  in  two  days  if  neces- 
sary. Give  all  the  cold  water  he  will  drink,  soft 
water  preferable.  Soft  food,  bran  mash  three  times  a 
day,  little  hay  and  well  dampened,  clothe  warm,  little 
exercise,  together  v/ith  plenty  of  flax  seed  mucilage- 
say  to  one  pound  of  whole  flaxseed  add  from  four  to 
six  quarts  of  boiling  water;  when  cold,  give  at  least  a 
quart  of  the  tea  and  seeds  in  mash,  with  a  powder 
composed  of  pulv.  capsicum  4  oz.,  pulv.  elecampane 
4  oz.,  pulv.  gentian  4  oz.,  pulv.  anise  4  oz.,  mix  and 
divide  in  sixteen  powders,  morning  and  evening. 
If  a  severe  case,  give  four  powders  a  day  at  intervals, 
say  three  hours  apart ;  you  can  give  in  a  drench. 
Take  a  fork  handle,  say  four  feet  long,  bore  a  small 
hole  large  enough  to  admit  a  piece  of  clothes-line  for 


DISEASES    OF   HORSES.  1 59 

a  twist  and  use;  it's  much  pleasanter  to  give  medicine 
and  less  danger  of  strangulation. 

BONE    SPAVINS    AND    RINGBONE. 

The  causes  and  symptoms  are  too  w^ell  known  to  re- 
quire an}^  particular  illustrations  as  to  the  whys  and 
wherefores.  Very  many  pretenders  have  set  to  work 
to  cure  without  the  least  idea  of  the  real  origin. 

The  old  style  treatment  was  to  apply  the  firing  iron, 
drawing  a  line  over  the  joint,  and  adding  curved  lines 
on  the  side.  This  used  to  be  the  only  means  resorted 
to  except  applying  a  blister.  This  treatment  must 
bring  pain  enough  to  the  poor  brute  to  produce  lock- 
jaw. It  would  seem  as  though  the  operator  meant  to 
make  sure  to  cover  over  all  the  parts  affected  to  effect 
a  cure.  The  latest  mode  is  an  iron,  shaped  similar  to 
the  shape  and  size  of  an  egg,  with  sharp  point.  When 
hot  touch  the  centre  of  the  enlargement;  once  I  think 
sufficient  if  it  goes  deep  enough  to  touch  the  bone. 
That  of  itself  will  set  up  an  inflammation;  then  apply 
over  the  bunch  of  osseous  deposit  a  severe  sweat  com- 
posed of  the  following  unguent:  citron  ointment  3 
oz.,  pulv.  cantharides  i  oz.,  add  enough  sweet  oil  to 
make  a  paste,  then  apply  as  above  stated,  and  heat 
in.  Repeat  if  necessary.  Rest  is  the  only  thing  es- 
sential until  the  animal  recovers  (1/  ever).  My  opin- 
ion, from  a  thorough  and  practical  knowledge  of  the 
structure  and  situation  of  the  disease  generally,  is 
that  the  less  you  torture  and  afflict  the  better  for  all 
concerned;  yet  a  liniment  made  of  tr.  capsicum  4  oz., 
tr.  opium  4  oz.,  ess.  sassafras  4  oz,,  ess.  wormwood  4 
oz.,  and  applied  over  the  parts  affected  briskly  with 
good  hand-rubbing  will  do  more  to  relieve  than  all 
other  remedies  applied.  After  several  years*  experi- 
ence I   have  concluded  to  drop  the  spavin  and    ring- 


l6o  HOW   TO    EDUCATE   HORSES. 

bone  treatment,  as  I  have  utterly  failed  in  five  out  of 
six  cases  with  firing,  blistering,  and  worse  than  non- 
sense generally. 

The  time  perhaps  will  come  when  some  person  will 
discover  some  yet  unknown  remedy  that  will  effect  a 
cure.  What  a  fortune  lies  in  store  for  the  man  who 
can  cure  and  repeat  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  every 
horse  owner! 

THRUSH. 

The  cause  and  symptoms  of  thrush  are  usually  well 
known,  yet  I  will  describe  them  as  follows:  First, 
fever  in  feet,  bad  stable  and  management,  wet  bed- 
ding, etc.,  etc. 

Treatment. — Cleanse  well  the  parts  affected  with 
Castile  soap  and  water;  open  the  crevices  and  apply 
chloride  of  zinc  thoroughly,  or  crystallized  carbolic 
acid;  repeat  every  day  until  relieved;  cleanse  well 
each  time  before  an  application  is  made.  Keep  the 
horse's  feet  on  dry  floor.  Dilute  with  soft  water  one 
ounce  of  either  the  zinc  or  the  acid,  when  it  is  fit  for 
use. 

TO    DRY    UP    OLD    SORES. 

Quarter  pound  dry  white  lead;  dust  on  the  places 
twice  a  day.  Horses  can  be  worked  all  the  time. 
This  is  simple  and  good. 

FOR    EYE    WASH. 

Two  drachms  sugar-lead,  one-half  ounce  laudanum, 
one  pint  rain  water.  Bathe  the  eye  above  and  in  the 
sockets,  twice  a  day.  * 

TO    STOP    BLOOD. 

One  drachm  of  hinar  caustic,  four  ounces  rain  water; 
dissolve  and  apply  to  the  place  affected. 


DISEASES   OF   HORSES.  l6l 


FOR    CLEANSING    POWDER. 

Two  ounces  each  gentian,  foenu-greek,  rosin,  cop- 
peras, flour  of  sulphur,  black  antimony,  saltpetre,  and 
one  pound  of  Jamaica  ginger;  mix  all  together.  Dose, 
one  tablespoonful  twice  a  day  on  soft  food.  This  is 
good  for  distemper  or  colds. 

FOR    COLIC. 

One  ounce  each  of  laudanum,  tincture  of  asafoetida 
and  sweet  spirits  of  nitre,  and  one-half  pint  gin  or 
whisky;  mix  and  drench.  If  not  better  in  thirty 
minutes  repeat  the  dose;  then  give  one  pint  linseed 
oil. 

TO    FATTEN    OLD    HORSES. 

One  half  gallon  alcohol,  one  quart  of  brewer's  yeast, 
one  quart  buckwheat  flour,  two  drachms  tincture  can- 
tharides,  four  ounces  soda;  put  in  a  jug  and  let  it 
stand  six  days  and  it  is  fit  for  use.  Dose,  one  tea- 
cupful  two  or  three  times  a  day  on  soft  food. 

TO    ENLIVEN    AN    OLD    HORSE    AND    MAKE    HIM    PROUD. 

Two  drachms  each  of  oil  cloves,  oil  sassafras,  oil 
anise,  oil  wintergreen,  and  two  ounces  each  alcohol  and 
tincture  asafoetida;  given  ten  to  fifteen  drops  in  a  pail 
of  water. 

TO    TRADE    ON    WHEN    A    HORSE    HAS    THE    HEAVES. 

Two  ounces  each  of  gentian,  Spanish  brown,  resin, 
lobelia,  and  one  half  pound  Jamaica  ginger;  mix  one 
tablespoonful  three   times  a   day.     This    is   good  to 
trade  on,  but  is  not  a  cure. 
II 


[62  HOW   TO   EDUCATE    HORSES. 


TO  BRIGHTEN  UP  AN  OLD  HORSE. 

One  ounce  each  of  oil  of  cloves,  oil  rosemary,  oil 
sassafras,  oil  wintergreen,  tincture  cantharides,  two 
ounces  tincture  asafoetida,  four  ounces  alcohol;  mix 
and  give  ten  drops  in  pail  of  water.  This  will  give 
life  to  all  that  is  not  dead,  and  make  the  hair  lay 
nice. 

DROPSY    OF    MUSCLES    ON    THE    CHEST. 

Symptoms. — The  horse  is  dull,  loses  his  appetite, 
swells  along  the  belly  and  chest  between  the  forelegs, 
roots  of  the  mane  and  tail  dead.  Cure. — Rowels  in 
the  breast  and  along  the  sides,  as  far  back  as  the 
swelling  goes;  then  give  good  physic.  After  the 
physic  operates  give  the  cleansing  powders;  one  table- 
spoonful  twice  a  day  on  bran  mash  till  the  swelling 
subsides;  keep  the  horse  dry. 

FOR    SCRATCHES. 

One  ounce  sugar  of  lead,  one  ounce  burnt  alum, 
half  ounce  sulphate  zinc,  one  quart  rain  water;  wash 
off  clean  with  Castile  soap  and  water;  let  dry  and  ap- 
ply the  liquid  for  three  or  four  days.  A  sure  cure  if 
not  grease  heel. 

GREASE    HEEL. 

Bleed  one  gallon,  physic;  then  give  the  cleansing 
powders,  then  use  the  ointment,  one  ounce  each  blue 
vitriol,  copperas,  sugar  lead,  resin,  two  ounces  spirits 
turpentine,  four  ounces  sheep  tallow,  one  pound  hog's 
lard;  make  in  a  salve;  wash  the  sores  and  then  use 
the  ointment.  Wash  off  all  clean  every  third  day 
till  cured. 


DISEASES   OF   HORSES.  163 


BUTTON    FARCY. 

First  physic;  then  give  the  following  powders:  One 
ounce  each  of  gentian,  foenii-greek,  rhubarb,  calomel, 
saltpetre,  flour  sulphur;  half  pound  Jamaica  ginger; 
mix  one  tablespoonful  twice  a  day;  wash  off  the  sores 
and  dust  arsenic  in  to  eat  out  the  rotten  flesh.  Keep 
on  light  food  bran  mash. 

PHYSICKING. 

There  is  more  injury  done  in  the  practice  of  this  than 
in  any  other  medical  treatment  of  the  horse.  The  old 
practice  has  been  to  physic  and  bleed  every  spring, 
and  this  is  necessary  where  the  horse  is  really  sick. 
When  you  change  him  from  the  pasture  to  the  warm 
stable  and  dry  food,  it  is  also  good,  as  the  horse  must 
be  prepared  for  it.  Give  three  or  four  mashes  before 
the  physic,  and,  in  the  majority  of  cases,  they  will  be 
sufficient  without  it,  especially  if  the  bowels  are 
slightly  moved,  for  really  the  less  medicine  given  the 
better. 

After  the  physic  is  given,  the  horse  should  have 
walking  exercise  for  an  hour  or  two;  but  when  it  begins 
to  operate  he  should  be  kept  still  as  possible,  or  the 
medicine  would  be  likely  to  gripe,  and  perhaps  irritate 
the  intestinal  canal  and  cause  inflammation.  You  can 
give  him  a  small  amount  of  hay  and  as  much  mash  as 
he  will  eat,  and  as  much  water  with  the  chill  off  as  he 
chooses  to  drink;  if  he  will  not  drink  tepid  water  give 
him  about  a  quart  of  cold  water  every  hour.  When 
the  purging  ceases,  give  a  mash  twice  a  day,  until 
you  give  more  physic,  which  should  be  only  once  a 
week. 

Barbadoes  aloes  is  the  best  purgative,  being  always 
sure  and  safe.     The  dose,  with  the  horse  prepared  by 


164  HOW   TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 

bran  mashes,  would  vary  from  five  to  seven  drachms, 
the  latter  sufficient  for  any  horse.  You  can  dissolve 
in  warm  water  and  give  as  a  drench,  or  make  into  a 
ball  with  linseed  oil  and  lay  upon  the  roots  of  the 
tongue,  letting  go  the  tongue  at  the  same  time.  The 
next  best  purgative  is  the  croton  nut;  the  fatina  or 
meal  of  the  nut  is  used.  It  should  be  made  into  a  ball 
with  linseed  oil.  Give  from  a  scruple  to  half  a 
drachm,  according  to  the  state  of  the  subject.  It  acts 
more  speedily  than  aloes,  but  causes  more  debility. 
Linseed  oil  is  uncertain,  but  safe  in  doses  from  a  pound 
to  a  pound  and  a  half.  It  leaves  the  horse  in  very 
good  condition. 

COUGH. 

Use  elecampane  roots,  horehound  and  smartweed 
with  six  red  pepper  pods  to  two  ounces  of  ginger  root; 
boil  till  all  the  strength  is  extracted,  then  strain 
through  flannel;  add  two  quarts  of  molasses  to  every 
gallon  of  extract,  and  boil  all  together  for  half  an 
hour.  Give  one  gill  twice  a  day.  Use  an  ox  horn,  or 
a  crooked  tin  horn.  Raise  the  head,  and  draw  the 
tongue  out  on  the  left  side;  put  the  small  end  of  the 
horn  on  the  root  of  the  tongue,  and  empty  the  con- 
tents; then  let  go  the  tongue.  Swab  the  throat  every 
night  with  this  mixture,  using  a  whalebone  with  linen 
wrapped  on  the  end.     This  is  a  sure  cure  for  coughs. 

STOCKED    OR   SWOLLEN    LEGS. 

This  is  caused  by  sudden  heats  and  colds. 

Cure. — Bathe  the  legs  from  the  hoof  to  the  knee 
in  as  hot  water  as  he  will  bear,  and  then  bandage 
them.  The  hot  water  opens  the  pores  and  thins  the 
blood,  that  has  become  thick  and  will  not  circulate 
well.  Make  a  strong  tea  of  sassafras  roots,  and  give  as 
a  drink.     If   not  easily  procured,  give  as  a  purge  one 


DISEASES   OF   HORSES.  165 

pint  of  linseed  or  castor  oil,  half  an  ounce  of  oil  of 
sassafras.  Feed  light;  give  bran  mash  with  one  table- 
spoonful  of  cream  tartar  for  a  few  nights. 

SCOURS. 

This  is  a  disease  which  requires  no  description — 
you  will  know  it  when  it  comes.  It  is  tiie  same  as 
cholera  in  a  man,  but  is  usually  easy  to  manage.  In 
a  warm  climate  it  is  very  dangerous,  as  two-thirds  of 
the  horses  taken  with  it  die  in  three  or  four  days. 

Cure. — Boil  red  or  white  oak  bark  to  a  strong  ooze; 
put  two  tablespoonfuls  of  cream  of  tartar  to  one  quart 
of  this  decoction;  give  to  drink  or  as  a  drench — then 
use  the  bark  water  for  injection.  Keep  this  up  until 
the  purging  is  stopped,  then  give  a  mash  of  scalded 
wheat  bran  twice  a  day.  Give  no  hay  or  grain,  or  you 
will  cause  a  relapse.  He  will  have  a  good  appetite,  but 
be  very  careful  for  several  days,  and  when  you  com- 
mence feeding,  feed  very  light.  A  positive  cure,  if 
directions  are  carefully  followed. 

GREASE. 

In  many  cases,  swelled  leg,  although  distinct  from 
grease,  degenerates  into  it.  This  disease  is  inflamma- 
tion of  the  skin  of  the  heel,  and  very  seldom  comes  on 
the  fore  legs.  The  skin  of  the  heel  has  a  peculiar 
greasy  feeling,  and  when  inflamed  the  secretion  of  this 
greasy  matter  is  stopped.  The  heels  become  red,  dry 
and  scurvy,  and  being  so  much  in  motion  they  very 
soon  crack,  and  sometimes  ulceration  and  fungus  will 
extend  over  the  whole  heel.  The  first  appearance  of 
grease  is  usually  a  dry  scurvy  state  of  the  skin  of 
the  heel.  They  should  be  washed  with  soap  and 
water,  and  relieved  'of  all  the  hard  substance  that 
they  can   by  soaking;    then   wipe  dry,   and  sprinkle 


l66  HOW   TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 

pulverized  verdigris;  this  will  dry  up.  But  when 
tlie  heels  are  badly  cracked  and  ulceration  has 
commenced  it  will  be  necessary  to  poultice  them 
with  linseed  oil,  or,  if  not  at  hand,  carrots  boiled  soft 
and  mashed  fine;  this  is  a  good  poultice  for  any  in- 
flamed part. 

When  inflammation  and  pain  have  gone,  and  there 
is  a  healthy  discharge  of  matter,  dress  with  an  oint- 
ment of  one  ounce  of  resin,  two  ounces  of  honey  in 
the  comb,  two  ounces  of  lard,  and  one  ounce  of  call- 
man  powder;  this  cools  and  heals  very  fast.  If  the 
fungus  is  not  entirely  gone,  wash  with  two  drachms 
of  blue  vitriol  in  a  pint  of  water.  It  is  well  to  give  a 
mild  diuretic  every  third  day — one  tablespoonful  of 
pulverized  resin  in  a  ball  of  bran  mash.  Mash  the 
horse  while  treating  for  this.  Sassafras  tea  is  good 
for  him.  If  the  legs  swell  after  they  are  healed,  band- 
age every  night,  and  give  moderate  walking  exercise. 
Give  a  slight  purge  of  linseed  oil  or  Barbadoes  aloes. 

For  all  bruises  and  swelling  of  the  limbs  use 
thoroughwort  and  mullein,  steeped  and  applied  as  hot 
as  possible,  with  bandages. 

The  horse  pulse  beats  from  thirty-six  to  forty-four 
per  minute  in  health;  ninety  feet  of  distentions,  thirty 
feet  of  large  and  sixty  feet  of  small;  stomach  said  to 
hold  about  twenty-four  quarts.  It  varies  with  the  size 
of  the  horse. 

TO    RESTORE    THE    APPETITE. 

Use  of  pulverized  caraway  seeds  and  bruised  raisins, 
four  ounces  each;  of  ginger  and  palm  oil,  two  ounces 
each.  Always  use  twice  as  much  of  the  first  as  of  the 
last,  in  whatever  quantity  you  wish  to  make  it.  Give 
a  small  ball  once  a  day  until  the  appetite  is  restored; 
use  mashes  at  the  same  time. 


DISEASES  OF   HORSES.  167 

STOPPAGE    OF    THE    BOWELS. 

Take  two  quarts  of  soft  and  fresh  horse  manure, 
add  one  quart  of  boiling  hot  water,  then  strain  through 
a  common  cloth  strainer;  give  one  pint  as  a  drench. 
This  will  not  fail  for  man  or  beast;  for  a  man,  dose, 
one  tablespoonful  every  hour  until  it  acts. 

SALVE    FOR    MAN    OR    BEAST. 

For  all  kinds  of  old  sores,  use  honey  and  resin 
melted  together;  add  lard  enough  to  make  a  paste; 
when  cool  it  is  fit  for  use.  There  is  no  salve  better 
than  this;  its  medicinal  qualities  are  excellent. 

STIFLE. 

This  is  a  strain  of  the  stifle  muscles  only.  The 
stifle  joint  never  gets  out;  if  it  should  the  horse 
would  be  worthless.  The  stifle  shoe  should  never  be 
used. 

Cure. — Take  the  whites  of  six  eggs,  and  two  ounces 
of  alum,  pulverized;  mix  well  together,  and  rub  on  the 
stifle  muscles;  dry  with  a  hot  iron.  One  application 
will  probably  be  sufficient.  2. — One  ounce  of  sugar 
lead,  one  pint  of  alcohol;  mix  and  apply  three  or  four 
times  a  day  until  a  cure  is  effected. 

TONICS. 

Where  it  is  necessary  to  use  tonics,  gentian  is  one 
of  the  best  vegetables,  especially  in  chronic  debility. 
It  is  best  united  with  camomile  and  ginger.  Gentian, 
four  drachms;  camomile,  two  drachms;  ginger,  one 
drachm;  give  in  balls. 

mercurial    OINTMENT. 

Of  quicksilver,  one  ounce;  lard,  three  ounces  ;  stir 
until  there  are  no  globules  to  be  seen.     This  is  used 


l68  HOW   TO    EDUCATE   HORSES. 

sometimes  in  preparing  strains  and  spavins  for  the 
regular  spavin  ointment;  rub  on  once  a  day,  two  or 
three  days,  before  using  the  ointment. 

POULTICES. 

A  few  horsemen  are  aware  of  the  value  of  these 
simple  preparations  in  abating  inflammation  and  in  al- 
laying pain,  cleansing  wounds,  and  causing  them  to 
heal.  They  are  the  best  kinds  of  fomentations;  they 
continue  longer  and  keep  the  pores  open.  In  all  in- 
flammations of  the  foot  they  are  very  beneficial,  and 
in  cases  of  contraction.  A  poultice  that  retains  the 
heat  and  moisture  longest  is  the  best.  They  will  re- 
lieve swellings,  take  out  the  soreness  from  the  pores, 
and  draw  out  unnatural  substances.  Linseed  oil 
makes  the  best  poultice;  it  will  hasten  any  tumor  that 
is  necessary  to  open,  and  cleanse  any  old  one,  causing 
a  healthy  discharge  where  it  is  offensive.  But  in  this 
case — where  the  ulcer  smells  badly — add  two  ounces 
of  pulverized  charcoal  or  chloride  of  lime — half  an 
ounce  to  one  pound  of  meal.  This  is  good  to  use  in 
grease  or  cracked  heel. 

A  poultice  should  never  be  put  on  tight.  Carrots 
are  very  good,  mashed  fine,  after  boiling  soft.  The 
charcoal  may  be  used  in  this  also,  where  the  parts 
smell  offensively. 

FARCY ITS    TREATMENT. 

When  the  farcy  attacks  only  one  part  of  the  horse, 
and  that  where  the  blood  vessels  are  small,  it  may  be 
easily  cured;  but  when  the  plate  vein  is  affected  and 
turns  corded,  and  especially  the  crural  veins  inside  the 
thigh  are  in  that  condition,  the  cure  is  very  difficult,  and 
the  creature  is  rarely  fit  for  anything  but  the  lowest 
work  after  it.  Bathe  the  legs  every  night  in  hot  water 
into  which  put  a  shovel  of  hot  wood  ashes,  making  a 


DISEASES   OF   HORSES.  169 

weak  ley.  When  he  regahis  his  appetite  be  very  careful 
in  feeding.  Give  him  mashes  at  least  twice  a  day  until 
he  gets  his  strength;  then  give  green  food,  if  possible. 
In  very  severe  cases  of  farcy,  internal  medicines  will 
be  necessary.  Use  of  corrosive  sublimate,  ten  grains 
— increased  to  a  scruple,  with  two  drachms  of  gentian, 
and  one  of  ginger;  repeat  morning  and  night  until  the 
ulcer  disappears. 

PLEURISY — HOW    TO    BE    TREATED. 

This  is  an  attack  of  the  membrane  covering  the 
lungs,  and  the  lining  of  the  chest,  called  the  "pleura." 
The  symptoms  are  nearly  the  same  as  in  inflammation 
of  the  lungs.  The  horse  has  no  disposition  to  lie 
down  or  to  move  about;  the  neck  will  be  the  same  as 
in  lung  fever,  nostrils  distended,  and  the  membrane  of 
the  nose  very  red;  he  breathes  very  hard,  with  a  kind 
of  grunt;  the  legs  will  be  cold,  and  he  will  have  a  hard, 
full  pulse.  The  blood,  however,  is  not  obstructed 
in  its  passage  through  the  lungs.  By  pressing  on  his 
side  he  will  give  symptoms  of  pain  in  a  very  decided 
grunt. 

Cure. — Blister  both  sides  of  the  chest,  and  bathe 
the  legs  in  hot  water.  Or,  boil  bran,  and  put  an  old 
pantaloon  leg  on  over  his,  and  fill  it  around  with  hot 
bran;  this  will  get  up  a  circulation  in  the  extremities. 
Then  give  one  and  a  half  drachms  of  emetic  tartar, 
two  drachms  of  digitalis,  three  drachms  of  nitre. 
Keep  well  covered  with  warm  clothing.  Use  one 
ounce  of  cream  tartar  in  two  quarts  of  tepid  water, 
for  a  drink.  Be  sure  to  keep  the  legs  warm  by  hot 
applications  and  bandages.  Use  these  medicines  until 
a  cure  is  effected. 

BLISTERING    LINIMENT. 

One   part  Spanish  flies,  finely  powdered;  three  of 


I/O  HOW   TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 

lard,  and  one  of  yellow  resin.  Mix  the  lard  and  resin 
together,  and  add  the  flies  when  the  other  ingredients 
begin  to  cool.  To  render  it  more  active,  add  one  pint 
spirits  turpentine. 

MEDICATED    FOOD    FOR    HORSES   AND   CATTLE, 

Take  linseed  cake  and  pulverize  or  grind  it  up  in 
the  shape  of  meal,  and,  to  every  fifty  pounds  of  this 
ingredient,  add  ten  pounds  Indian  meal;  two  pounds 
sulphuret  of  antimony;  two  pounds  ground  ginger; 
one  and  three-quarter  pounds  saltpetre,  and  two 
pounds  powdered  sulphur.  Mix  the  whole  thoroughly 
together,  put  in  neat  boxes  or  packages,  for  sale  or 
otherwise,  as  desired,  and  you  will  have  an  article 
equal  in  value  to  Thorley's  food,  or  almost  any  other 
preparation  that  can  be  got  up  for  the  purpose  of  fat- 
tening stock  or  curing  disease  in  every  case  when  food 
or  medicine  can  be  of  any  use  whatever.  This  article 
can  be  fed  in  any  desired  quantity,  beginning  with  a 
few  tablespoonfuls  at  a  time,  for  a  horse,  mixing  it 
with  his  grain,  and  in  the  same  proportion  to  smaller 
animals,  repeating  the  dose  and  increasing  the  quan- 
tity as  the  case  may  seem  to  require. 

LOTION    FOR    MANGE. 

Boil  two  ounces  tobacco  in  one  quart  water;  strain; 
add  sulphur  and  soft  soap,  each  two  ounces. 

FOR    STRAINS    AND    SWELLINGS. 

Strong  vinegar  saturated  with  common  salt,  used 
warm,  is  good  for  strains  and  reducing  swellings.  One 
ounce  of  white  vitriol,  one  ounce  of  green  copperas, 
two  teaspoonfuls  of  gunpowder,  all  pulverized  to- 
gether, and  dissolved  in  one  quart  of  soft  water  and 
used  cold,  rubbing  in  thoroughly,  is  one  of  the  best 
applications  known  for  reducing  swellings. 


DISEASES   OF   HORSES.  171 

FOR    LUNG    FEVER. 

Symptoms. — Cold,  clammy  sweat,  distended  nostrils, 
hard  breathing,  soreness  of  chest  opposite  lungs,  legs 
cold  below  the  knees;  thirsty,  but  cannot  drink.  The 
disease  is  occasioned  by  changing  the  horse  from 
warm  to  cold  stabling. 

Cure. — Give  one  ounce  sweet  spirits  of  nitre,  one 
ounce  compound  tine,  lavender,  one  ounce  laudanum. 
Feed  no  hay,  but  only  soft  food.  Blister  all  around 
the  chest  opposite  the  lungs  with  two  ounces  spirits 
of  ammonia,  two  ounces  spirits  turpentine,  two  ounces 
tincture  cantharides,  one  ounce  sweet  oil;  mix  and  use 
with  sponge  or  woollen  rag.  Don't  bleed,  or  death 
may  likely  ensue.  If  the  pulse  is  too  quick,  take  two 
drachms  digitalis,  two  drachms  tartar  emetic;  mix  in 
six  powders,  and  give  one  every  four  hours  till  the 
heart  is  quiet,  then  stop.  Give  the  water  off  slippery- 
elm  bark  to  drink,  with  the  chill  broken.  Rub  the 
legs  with  cayenne  pepper  and  alcohol.  Blanket  well 
and  let  him  breathe  the  fresh  air.  This  is  a  very  valu- 
able recipe. 

RECIPE    FOR    SWELLINGS. 

Double  handful  each  of  mullein  leaves.  May  apple 
roots,  poke  roots,  one  gallon  water;  boil  and  add 
double  handful  salt;  apply  as  warm  as  the  hand  can 
bear  it.     Good  and  cheap. 

FOR    FITS. 

Fits  are  caused  by  overflow  of  blood  from  the  heart 
to  the  brain,  which  causes  concussion.  Bleed  through 
the  nose,  then  give  tablespoonful  cleansing  powders 
twice  a  day  on  bran  mash,  then  the  restorative  liquid; 
keep  the  bowels  open. 


1/2  HOW   TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 

TO    STOP    HEAVES    QUICKLY. 

Tiiree  eggs,  two  drachms  lobelia,  one  pint  vinegar^ 
two  drachms  alum;  mix  together;  divide  in  three  doses 
and  give  one  every  morning.  This  is  not  permanent, 
but  good  to  trade  on. 

JAUNDICE    OR    YELLOW    WATER. 

Symptoms. — Hair  of  mane  and  tail  loose,  eyes  yel- 
low, bars  of  mouth  swollen,  right  fore  leg  lame. 

Cure. — Give  physic,  then  cleansing  powders;  don't 
bleed,  and  you  will  save  your  horse. 

recipe  for  liniment. 
Two  ounces  each    of  oil  origanum,  laudanum,  oil 
sassafras,  tincture  camphor,  oil  cedar,  spirits  ammonia, 
spirits    turpentine,    sweet    oil,   one    gallon    alcohol. 
Good  for  swellings,  burns,  etc. 

CORNS. 

These  are  caused  by  that  portion  of  the  foot  being 
bruised  which  is  the  sensitive  part  of  the  foot.  Have 
the  foot  pared  away  so  as  to  admit  of  the  shoe  being 
fitted  to  the  foot  so  as  to  set  easy.  Do  not  draw  too 
close  with  nails.  Apply  a  caustic  to  the  corn,  and  re- 
peat as  often  as  necessary,  keeping  the  foot  clean  and 
soft  by  hoof  ointments,  and  all  will  go  well  shortly. 
Caustic,  muriatic  acid,  chloride  of  zinc — either  applied 
will  have  a  tendency  to  effect  a  cure. 

OPERATIONS. 

These  belong  more  to  the  veterinary  surgeon  than 
the  proprietor  of  the  horse,  but  a  short  account  of  the 
manner  of  conducting  the  principal  ones  should  not 
be  omitted. 

The  principal  method  of  handling  the  patient  as  the 
case  appears: 


DISEASES  OF  HORSES.  l'/^ 

First,  in  giving  a  drench  of  medicine  to  a  horse  we 
use  a  twist,  say  three  to  four  feet  long.  A  fork 
handle  is  very  nice,  with  a  cord  tied  in  a  square  knot, 
forming  a  loop,  to  put  on  the  nose.  First,  get  the 
patient,  if  standing,  so  that  he  can  raise  his  head  by 
putting  the  twist  on  as  high  as  necessary  to  elevate  his 
head  to  make  him  swallow.  In  the  act  of  drenching, 
turn  down  only  a  swallow  at  a  time,  and  you  will  be 
less  liable  to  choke  or  strangle  him.  The  reason  for 
having  the  twist  handle  the  length  prescribed  is,  that 
a  man  can  stand  on  the  floor  or  ground  and  raise  the 
horse's  head  the  proper  height  without  fastening  in 
the  old  style.  In  case  he  chokes  in  taking  the  drench, 
I  have  known  horses  to  strangle  to  death  by  having 
the  head  fastened  up,  and  being  unable  to  lower  it 
soon  enough.  If  strong  medicine  turned  down  the 
horse  goes  on  the  lungs,  it  seems  to  set  him  on  fire  at 
once.  Some  ignorant  persons,  pretending  veterinary 
profession,  turn  the  dose  down  the  nostrils,  which  is 
sure  death  to  the  poor  brute. 

PACKING    THE    FEET. 

Packing  the  feet  has  been  practiced  by  many  horse-, 
men  for  a  long  time  without  ever  hearing  of  any  par- 
ticular good  derived.  I  feel  as  though  it  was  time 
and  money  spent  for  naught.  First,  any  common- 
sense  man  will  see  at  once  that  there  is  no  moisture 
in  the  flaxseed  meal  or  any  other  substance  ground, 
except  when  mixed  with  water  to  make  a  paste  before 
stuffing  the  foot.  How  much  better  and  sooner  you 
would  get  relief  by  applying  hoof  ointment,  made  to 
soften  and  keep  fever  down.  The  stuffing  of  the  feet 
is  no  more  or  less  than  old  fogyism.  I  have  noticed 
a  good  many  different  men  in  different  places,  pack- 
ing the  feet  of  their  trotters  and  road  horses,  as  part 


174  HOW  TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 

of  their  toilet,  but  after  all  have  seen  no  good  result 
derived,  or  seen  an  expression  on  the  owner's  coun- 
tenance saying  it  has  bettered  the  foot  at  all.  After 
all  my  trouble,  the  sole  and  horn  on  the  foot  are  too 
hard  for  water  and  flaxseed  meal  to  have  but  little 
effect. 

We  read  of  no  author  on  the  horse  and  his  diseases 
that  points  to  and  commends  or  favors  and  gives  any 
remedies,  and  says,  *'  That  seems  to  be  the  best  and 
only  thing  needful."  On  the  other  hand,  but  very 
little  is  said  in  regard  to  stuffing  the  horse's  foot.  It 
is  far  better  to  wash  the  foot  clean,  and  have  your 
ointment,  and  apply  around  the  cornet  a  sufficiency 
every  day  until  the  fever  has  abated  and  the  foot  be- 
comes more  pliable.  There  is  danger  of  softening 
too  much,  so  as  to  weaken;  use  judgment.  Make  the 
ointment  from  the  following:  raw  linseed  oil  i  oz., 
crystallized  carbolic  acid  2  ozs.,  lard  i  lb.,  or  balsam 
fir  8  ozs.,  castor-oil  12  ozs.,  and  crystallized  carbolic 
acid  I  oz.  This  ointment  cannot  be  beat,  but  it  is 
more  expensive  than  the  first. 

WATERING    AND    FEEDING    HORSES. 

Much  has  been  said  in  regard  to  watering  and  feed- 
ing the  horse.  Perhaps  all  that  is  necessary.  Yet  I 
might  add  a  word  or  so  that  might  be  of  some  light 
or  benefit  still  top  of  other  and  more  generous-minded 
writers.  I  have  had  all  grades  of  horses  to  care  for, 
from  the  draft  horse  to  the  finest  trotter,  the  old  plug 
or  stage,  horses  out  of  sorts,  horses  to  put  in  trim  for 
market. 

The  Heavy  Draft  Horse. — Feed  him  accordingly 
three  good  meals  a  day  and  eight  pounds  good  hay  at 
night.  Before  you  feed  offer  a  pail  of  water,  if  not 
too  warm  to  drink  the  whole;  then  feed  in  the  morn- 


DISEASES   OF   HORSES.  175 

ing  oats  and  ground  feed,  wet  with  cold  water;  at 
noon  the  same;  at  night  the  full  mess  of  ground  feed 
made  into  a  mash  each  and  every  day.  Salt  and  gin- 
ger are  good  two  or  three  times  a  week.  Some  horses 
will  require  more  feed  than  others,  but  as. a  rule  four 
quarts  will  be  suflficient  for  the  largest  horse. 

The  Road  Horse. — Water  before  being  fed  every 
meal;  oats  dampened  for  breakfast,  oats  dampened 
for  dinner,  and  a  mash  every  evening  of  a  good  arti- 
cle of  ground  feed,  and  a  fair  supply  of  good  hay. 
Keep  him  well  groomed,  clothed  and  shod,  with  good 
bed,  and  he  will  endure  a  good  deal  of  roading. 

FEEDING    AND    FITTING    TROTTERS. 

There  are  very  many  different  opinions  given  as  to 
the  proper  mode  of  caring  for  and  grooming  the  trot- 
ter or  race  horse. 

First,  get  the  horse  in  proper  shape  by  preparing 
the  feet,  next  the  system.  In  order  to  do  this  the  feet 
should  be  kept  clean  every  time  he  is  driven;  then 
apply  the  hoof  ointment  until  the  foot  is  soft  and  pli- 
able enough,  and  keep  it  so. 

Then  to  prepare  the  system,  feed  moderately  to 
start,  keep  the  bowels  in  a  smooth,  soluble  condition 
by  giving  plenty  of  flaxseed,  mucilage  and  seeds,  in 
mash  once  a  day,  until  you  have  got  the  desired  effect; 
then  give  the  System  Powder  morning  and  evening 
for  eight  days;  then  skip  from  eight  to  sixteen  days, 
if  they  have  had  their  desired  effect.  Clothe  accord- 
ing to  the  season  and  circumstances;  commence  with 
moderate  work;  do  not  get  the  animal  excited  by 
overdoing  matters;  keep  him  feeling  in  the  best  of 
spirits;  see  that  his  teeth  do  not  interfere  with  his 
driving  on  one  rein,  or  make  him  slobber  in  feeding 
and  watering;  give  at  the  evening  meal  the  heaviest 


176  HOW  TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 

feed  and  water;  when  jogging,  if  he  does  not  seem  to 
feel  just  right,  better  go  to  the  stable  and  wait  for 
another  day.  I  would  refer  the  reader  to  the  Spirit 
of  the  Times  for  more  extended  information  on  the 
trotting  horse. 


TO  CLEAN  AND  OIL  HARNESS. 

First,  take  the  harness  apart,  having  each  strap  and 
piece  by  itself;  then  wash  it  in  warm  soap  suds.  When 
cleaned,  black  every  part  with  the  following  dye: 
One  ounce  extract  logwood,  twelve  grains  bichromate 
of  potash,  both  pounded  fine;  then  put  into  two  quarts 
of  boiling  rain  water,  and  stir  until  all  is  dissolved. 
When  cool,  it  may  be  used.  You  can  bottle  and  keep 
for  future  use,  if  you  wish.  It  may  be  applied  with  a 
shoe-brush,  or  anything  else  convenient.  When  the 
dye  has  struck  in,  you  may  oil  each  part  with  neats- 
foot  oil,  applied  with  a  paint  brush,  or  anything  con- 
venient. For  second  oiling  use  one-third  castor-oil, 
and  two-thirds  neatsfoot  oil,  mixed.  A  few  hours 
after,  wipe  clean  with  a  woollen  cloth,  which  gives  the 
harness  a  glossy  appearance. 

The  preparation  does  not  injure  the  leather  or  stitch- 
ing, makes  it  soft  and  pliable,  and  obviates  the  neces- 
sity of  oiling  as  often  as  is  necessary  by  the  ordinary 
method.     Its  use  is  therefore  economical. 


PART  SEVENTH. 


LADIES'  EQUESTRIANISM. 


The  saddlery  for  the  use  of  the  ladies  is  similar  in 
principle  to  that  devoted  to  gentlemen's  riding,  with 
the  exception  that  the  bits  and  reins  of  the  bridle  are 
lighter  and  more  ornamental,  and  the  saddle  furnished 
with  crutches  for  side-riding;  the  reins  are  narrower 
than  those  used  by  gentlemen,  but  otherwise  the  same. 
The  saddle  should  be  carefully  fitted  to  the  horse,  and 
there  should  always  be  a  third  crutch,  the  use  of  which 
will  hereafter  be  explained.  There  is  an  extra  leather 
girth  which  keeps  the  flaps  of  the  saddle  in  their  places. 
The  stirrup  may  be  either  like  a  man's,  with  a  lining  of 
leather  or  velvet,  or  it  maybe  a  slipper,  which  is  safer, 
and  also  easier  to  the  foot.  The  lady's  whip  is  a  light, 
puny  affair,  but,  as  her  horse  ought  seldom  to  require 
any  punishment,  it  is  carried  more  to  threaten  than 
for  actual  use.  A  spur  may  be  added  for  a  lady's 
use;  it  is  sometimes  needful  for  the  purpose  of  giving 
a  stimulus  at  the  right  moment.  If  used,  it  is  buckled 
on  to  the  boot,  and  a  small  opening  is  made  in  the 
habit,  with  a  string  attached  to  the  inside,  which  is 
then  tied  around  the  ankle,  and  thus  keeps  the  spur 
always  projecting  beyond  the  folds  of  the  habit.  A 
nose  martingale  is  generally  added  for  ornament;  but 

12 


178  HOW   TO    EDUCATE   HORSES. 

no  horse  which  throws  liis  head  up  is  fit  for  a  lady's 
use.  The  lady's  horse  ought  to  be  a  most  perfect  goer, 
instead  of  being,  as  it  often  is,  a  stupid  brute,  fit  only 
for  a  dray. 

Many  men  think  that  any  horse  gifted  with  a  neat 
outline  will  carry  a  lady;  but  it  is  a  great  mistake, 
and  if  the  ladies  themselves  had  the  choice  of  horses 
they  would  soon  decide  to  the  contrary.  The  only 
thing  in  their  favor,  in  choosing  a  lady's  horse,  is  that 
the  weight  to  be  carried  is  usually  light,  and  there- 
fore a  horse  calculated  to  carry  them  is  seldom  fit  to 
mount  a  man,  because  the  weight  of  the  male  sex  is 
generally  so  much  above  that  of  an  equestrian  lady. 
Few  of  this  sex  who  ride  are  above  one  hundred  and 
thirty  pounds,  and  most  are  below  that  weight.  But 
in  point  of  soundness,  action,  mouth  and  temper,  the 
lady's  horse  should  be  unimpeachable.  A  gentleman's 
horse  may  be  good,  yet  wholly  unable  to  canter,  and 
so  formed  that  he  cannot  be  taught;  he,  therefore,  is 
unsuited  to  a  lady;  but,  on  the  otlier  hand,  every  lady's 
horse  should  do  all  his  paces  well.  Many  ladies,  it  is 
true,  never  trot;  but  they  should  not  be  furnished  with 
the  excuse  that  they  cannot  because  their  horses  will 
not.  In  size,  the  lady's  horse  should  be  about  fifteen 
hands,  or  from  fourteen  and  a  half  to  fifteen  and  a 
half;  less  than  this  allows  the  habit  to  trail  in  the 
dirt,  and  more  makes  the  horse  too  lofty  and  un- 
wieldy for  a  lady's  use. 

In  breaking  the  lady's  horse,  if  he  is  of  good  temper 
and  fine  mouth,  little  need  be  done  to  make  him  can- 
ter easily  and  with  the  "Tight  leg  foremost.  This  is 
necessary,  because  the  other  leg  is  uncomfortable  to 
the  rider  from  her  side  position  on  the  saddle;  the 
breaker,  therefore,  should  adopt  the  means  elsewhere 
described,  and  persevere  until  the  horse  is  quite  ac- 


ladies'  equestrianism.  179 

customed  to  the  pace  and  habitually  starts  off  with 
the  right  leg.  He  should  also  bend  him  thoroughly, 
so  as  to  make  him  canter  well  on  his  hind  legs,  and 
not  with  the  disturbed  action  which  one  so  often  sees. 
The  curb  must  be  used  for  this  purpose,  but  without 
bearing  too  strongly  upon  it;  the  horse  must  be 
brought  to  his  paces  by  fine  handling  rather  than  by 
force,  and  by  occasional  pressure,  which  he  will  yield 
to  and  play  with  if  allowed,  rather  than  by  a  dead  pull. 
In  this  way,  by  taking  advantage  of  every  inch  yielded, 
and  yet  not  going  too  far,  the  head  is  gradually  brought 
in  and  the  hind  legs  as  gradually  are  thrust  forward, 
so  as  instinctively  to  steady  the  mouth  and  prevent  the 
pressure  which  is  feared.  When  this  "sitting  on  the 
haunches"  is  accomplished,  a  horse-cloth  may  be 
strapped  on  the  near  side  of  the  saddle,  to  accustom 
him  to  the  flapping  of  the  habit;  but  I  have  always 
found  in  an  ordinarily  good-tempered  horse,  that  if 
the  paces  and  mouth  were  all  perfect  the  habit  is  sure 
to  be  borne. 

It  is  a  kind  of  excuse  which  gentlemen  are  too  apt 
to  make,  that  their  horses  have  never  carried  a  lady; 
but  if  they  will  carry  a  gentleman  quietly,  they  will 
always  carry  a  lady  in  the  same  style,  though  they 
may  not  perhaps  be  suitable  to  her  seat  or  hand.  The 
directions  for  holding  the  reins,  and  for  their  use, 
elsewhere  given,  apply  equally  well  to  ladies,  the  only 
difference  being  that  the  knee  prevents  the  hand  being 
lowered  to  the  pommel  of  the  saddle.  This  is  one 
reason  why  the  neck  requires  to  be  more  bent  for  the 
gentleman's  use,  because,  if  it  is  straight,  or  at  all  ewe- 
necked,  the  hands  being  high  raise  the  head  into  the 
air,  and  make  the  horse  more  of  a  "  star-gazer"  than 
he  otherwise  would  be.  Many  ladies  hold  the  reins 
as  in  driving.     It  is  in  some  respects  better,  because 


I  So  HOW   TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 

it  allows  the  hand  to  be  lower  than  the  gentleman's 
mode,  and  the  ends  of  the  reins  fall  better  over  the 
habit. 

In  mounting,  the  horse  is  held  steadily,  as  for  a 
gentleman's  use,  taking  care  to  keep  him  well  up  to 
the  place  where  the  lady  stands,  from  which  he  is  very 
apt  to  slide  away.  The  gentleman  assistant  then 
places  his  right  hand  on  his  right  knee,  or  a  little  be- 
low it,  and  receives  the  lady's  left  foot.  Previously 
to  this  she  should  have  taken  the  rein  in  her  right 
hand,  which  is  placed  on  the  middle  crutch;  then,vi^ith 
her  left  on  the  gentleman's  shoulder,  and  her  foot  in 
his  hand,  she  makes  a  spring  from  the  ground,  and 
immediately  stiffens  her  left  leg,  using  his  hand, 
steadied  by  his  knee,  as  a  second  foundation  for  a 
spring;  and  then  she  is  easily  lifted  to  her  seat  by  the 
hand  following  and  finishing  her  spring  with  what  lit- 
tle force  is  required.  As  she  rises,  the  hand  still  keeps 
hold  of  the  crutch,  which  throws  the  body  sideways 
on  the  saddle,  and  then  she  lifts  her  right  knee  over 
the  middle  crutch.  After  this,  she  lifts  herself  up  from 
the  saddle,  and  the  gentleman  draws  her  habit  from 
under  her  until  smooth;  he  then  places  her  left  foot 
in  the  stirrup,  including  with  it  a  fold  of  her  habit, 
and  she  is  firmly  seated,  and  should  take  her  reins 
and  use  them  as  directed  for  the  gentleman.  The 
great  mistake  which  is  constantly  made  in  mounting 
is  in  the  use  of  the  lady's  knee,  which  should  be  care^ 
fully  straightened  the  moment  it  can  be  effected;  for 
if  kept  bent  it  requires  a  great  power  to  lift  a  lady 
into  the  saddle,  whereas,  with  a  good  spring  and  a 
straight  knee,  she  ought  to  weigh  but  a  few  pounds 
in  the  hand. 

The  lady's  seat  is  very  commonly  supposed  to  be  a 
weak  one  and   to  depend  entirely  upon  balance,  but 


ladies'  equestrianism.  i8i 

this  is  the  greatest  possible  mistake,  and  there  can  be 
no  doubt  from  what  is  seen  in  private,  as  well  as  in 
the  circus,  that  it  requires  as  great  an  effort  of  the 
horse  to  dislodge  a  good  female  rider  as  to  produce 
the  same  effect  upon  a  gentleman.  Even  with  the  old 
single  crutch  there  was  a  good  hold  with  the  leg,  but 
now  that  the  third  is  added,  the  grip  is  really  a  firm 
one.  When  this  is  not  used  the  crutch  is  laid  hold  of 
by  the  right  leg,  and  pinched  between  the  calf  of  the 
leg  and  the  thigh,  so  as  to  afford  a  firm  and  steady 
hold  for  the  whole  body,  especially  when  aided  by  the 
stirrups.  But  tliis  latter  support  merely  preserves  the 
balance,  and  is  useful  also  in  trotting;  it  does  not  at 
all  give  a  firm,  steady  seat,  though  it  adds  to  one 
already  obtained  by  the  knee.  When  two  crutches 
are  used  the  leg  is  brought  back  so  far  as  to  grasp  the 
crutch  as  before,  but  between  the  two  knees  the  two 
crutches  are  firmly  laid  hold  of,  the  upper  one  being 
under  the  right  knee,  and  the  lower  one  above  the  left. 
The  right  knee,  hooked  over  the  crutch  keeps  the  body 
from  slipping  backwards,  while  the  left  keeps  it  from 
a  forward  motion,  and  thus  the  proper  position  is 
maintained.  In  all  cases  the  right  foot  should  be  kept 
back,  and  the  point  of  the  toe  should  scarcely  be  visi- 
ble. These  points  should  be  carefully  kept  in  view 
by  all  lady  riders,  and  they  should  learn  as  soon  as 
possible  to  steady  themselves  by  this  grasp  of  the 
crutches  without  reference  to  the  stirrup-iron.  In  spite 
of  her  side-seat  the  body  should  be  square  to  the  front, 
with  the  elbow  easily  bent  and  preserved  in  its  proper 
position  by  the  same  precaution. 

The  whip  is  generally  held  in  the  right  hand,  with 
the  lash  pointing  forward  and  towards  the  left,  and 
by  this  position  it  may  be  used  on  any  part  of  the 
horse's  body  by  reaching  over  to  the  left  and  cutting 


l82  HOW    TO   EDUCATE    HORSES. 

before  or  behind  the  saddle,  or  with  great  ease  on  the 
right  side.  Its  use  may,  therefore,  in  all  cases  be  sub- 
stituted for  the  pressure  of  the  leg  in  the  description 
of  the  modes  of  effecting  the  change  of  leg,  turning  to 
the  left  or  right,  or  leading  with  either  leg.  With 
this  substitution,  and  with  the  caution  against  all 
violent  attempts  at  coercion,  which  are  better  carried 
out  by  the  fine  hand  and  delicate  tact  of  the  lady,  all 
the  feats  which  man  can  perform  may  well  be  imita- 
ted by  her. 

In  dismounting,  the  horse  is  brought  to  a  dead  stop 
and  his  head  held  by  an  assistant;  the  lady  next  turns 
her  knee  back  again  from  the  position  between  the 
outside  crutch,  takes  her  foot  out  of  the  stirrup,  and 
sits  completely  sideways;  she  then  puts  her  left  hand 
on  the  gentleman's  shoulder,  who  places  his  right  arm 
around  her  waist  and  lightly  assists  her  to  the  ground. 


PART  EIGHTH. 


TRAINING  AND  HEALTH  OF  DOGS. 


TEACHING   THE    SHEPHERD    DOG. 

Take  a  well-bred  shepherd  dog  about  six  montlis 
old,  reared  in  some  secluded  place,  hearing  no  words 
with  a  meaning  intended  to  be  attached,  except  his 
name.  He  should  know  nothing  of  the  ordinary 
words  in  use  towards  dogs,  and  not  have  been  handled 
by  boys  or  careless  persons.  Take  him  alone  with 
you  into  a  large  room.  Tiie  first  thing  to  be  done  is 
to  teach  him  to  lead.  To  do  this,  place  a  strap  around 
his  neck  that  cannot  hurt  him,  to  which  attach  a  cord 
six  or  eight  feet  in  length;  stand  still,  and  hold  upon 
the  cord  for  a  few  minutes,  until  he  ceases  struggling 
to  get  away.  It  is  best  to  give  one  lesson  each  day 
during  the  whole  training.  The  first  two  lessons* 
should  be  devoted  to  teaching  him  that  he  cannot 
get  away. 

Now  commence  teaching  him  to  come  to  you  by 
pulling  upon  the  rope  and  saying,  ''Here,"  using 
only  the  one  word.  In  the  use  of  this,  as  well  as  all 
other  words  used  in  training  the  dog,  one  word  is  all 
it  is  best  to  try  and  teach  him  for  any  one  act,  it  be- 
ing so  difficult  to  make  him  understand  if  you  attempt 
to  teach  him  more.  When  he  is  once  fixed  in  the 
habit  of  minding  the  word,  you  may  then  use  such 


1 84  HOW   TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 

Other  words  in  connection  therewitli  as  are  pleasant 
to  the  ear,  as,  for  instance,  "Come  here,  sir."  With- 
out the  word  Jiere  he  will  not  know  what  you  mean, 
and  the  others  being  meaningless  to  him,  do  not  puz- 
zle him.  He  will  also  be  less  liable  to  have  too  many- 
masters,  as  the  one  word  will  not  be  likely  to  be  used 
every  time  by  a  person  unacquainted  with  your  mode 
of  training.  Of  course,  if  you  prefer  it,  you  may,  in 
giving  the  lesson,  substitute  other  words  for  those 
laid  down;  but  we  give  those  which  are  readiest  to 
the  tongue.  As  the  dog  comes  up,  whether  volun- 
tarily or  not,  say,  "  Do,"  and  caress  him.  A  lesson  of 
an  hour  or  two,  each  time  working  slowly  and  pa- 
tiently, will  be  about  right.  Proceed  with  it  until  he 
will  come  to  you  from  any  portion  of  the  room  at  the 
word  "  Here."  He  will  have  learned  by  this  time, 
probably,  that  the  word  "Do"  is  for  him  to  under- 
stand that  you  are  through  with  him.  When  he  per- 
fectly realizes  this  you  may  then  prefix  words,  and 
say,  "That  will  do,"  emphasizing  the  word  do  each 
time.  You  may  also  now  say,  "  Come  here,"  remem- 
bering that  the  words  here  and  do  are  the  only  ones  he 
obeys.  He  cannot  connect  sentences,  nor  be  made  to 
understand  them  when  once  connected. 

You  now  wish  him  to  learn  the  words  "  Go"  and 
"  Halt."  To  do  this  you  will  place  yourself  in  a  por- 
tion of  the  room  opposite  to  where  the  dog  would 
naturally  desire  to  go  (the  door,  for  instance,  or  some- 
thing that  would  attract  him,  such  as  food),  say  "  Go," 
and  by  coaxing  and  urging  him  start  him  along. 
As  he  gets  part  of  the  way,  say  "Halt,"  pulling  upon 
the  string,  stopping  him  and  saying  "  Halt"  again. 
Proceed  witli  this  until  he  has  learned  to  obey  both 
the  words,  "  Go"  and  "  Halt."  To  teach  these  four 
words  named  will  generally  take  three  or  four  weeks. 


TRAINING  AND   HEALTH   OF  DOGS.  1 85 

Now  let  him  learn  to  bark  at  the  word  "  Speak"  by 
holding  up  something  which  he  wants  very  much,  for 
instance,  food  when  he  is  hungry.  You  may  then  let 
liim  loose,  and  let  him  run  about  with  you  (previously 
keeping  him  confined,  but  not  in  a  narrow  place), 
being  watchful  that  he  does  not  stray  off,  nor  be  hurt, 
nor  handled  by  others.  He  will  soon  become  handy 
about  the  house;  you  having  control  of  liim  through 
the  words  you  have  taught  him,  and  you  can  keep 
him  in  his  place  by  the  word  of  command.  For  in- 
stance, if  you  wish  him  to  go  out  of  doors,  show  him 
the  door  and  say,  ''Go  out."  The  word  ''go"  will 
start  him,  and  in  a  little  while  he  will  become  familiar 
with  the  word  "  out."  Give  him  a  fixed  place  to  sleep, 
and  teach  him  its  name. 

If  you  have  a  dog  already  trained  to  drive  and  go 
behind,  take  him  out  with  the  other  one  to  drive  in 
the  cattle.  He  will  learn  that  they  will  run  from  him. 
Say  nothing  to  him  while  he  is  with  the  other  dog, 
unless  he  attempts  to  go  to  the  head  of  any  of  the 
cattle.  This  you  must  not  allow.  After  two  or  three 
times,  take  him  out  without  the  other  dog  and  allow 
him  to  run  after  the  cattle,  provided  the  cattle  are 
used  to  being  driven  by  dogs.  It  will  not  do  to  let 
him  run  where  there  is  a  chance  of  being  turned  upon. 
If  he  drives  them  too  fast,  say  "  Steady."  He  will  not 
know  what  you  mean,  but,  as  you  use  words  with  him 
only  when  they  mean  something,  he  will  be  apt  to  pay 
attention  and  go  slower.  If  he  does  not,  say  "  Halt," 
then  "Go,"  steadying  him  by  the  word  ** Steady,"  if 
possible.  He  will  gradually  learn  its  meaning  by  its 
repetition.  If  you  have  no  other  dog,  you  will  let 
him  go  without,  being  more  watchful  of  him  that  he 
does  not  go  to  the  head  of  the  cattle;  otherwise  say 
nothing  to  him  except  ^'  Go,"  not  letting  him  start 


1 86  HOW   TO    EDUCATE   HORSES. 

until  he  gets  the  word.  After  a  while  you  may  pro- 
ceed to  practice  upon  the  other  words  he  knows.  If 
he  shows  no  disposition  to  bite  at  the  heels,  nor  to 
pull  at  the  tail,  take  a  rope  and  tie  a  knot  a  short  dis- 
tance up,  fringe  out  the  end,  and  play  with  him  with 
the  rope,  letting  him  catch  hold  of  it,  and  causing 
him  to  bark  at  it  by  using  the  word  "Speak."  When 
he  takes  hold  of  the  rope  say  "Up,"  and  when  you 
wish  him  to  let  go,  "  Do."  You  may  then  with  a 
slow  cow,  call  him  up,  and  taking  hold  of  the  tail,  say 
"Up,"  and  "Speak,"  to  teach  him  to  take  hold  of  the 
tail  and  bark  when  you  say  "Start  'em  up,"  and 
"Speak  to  them,"  and  to  let  go  when  you  say  "That 
will  do." 

Now  accustom  him  to  the  word  "Fetch,"  for  sheep, 
and  "Get,"  for  cattle,  etc.,  so  that  when  you  say  "Go 
and  get  the  cattle,"  he  know^s  that  you  mean  cattle 
instead  of  sheep  or  horses.  You  may  then  teach  him 
to  know  the  right  from  the  left,  and  to  obey  your 
orders  in  that  respect  by  taking  him  into  a  large 
room  and  by  the  motion  of  your  right  hand  try  to 
have  him  go  to  the  right  from  you,  saying,  "  Go — 
right."  If  he  does  not  do  it,  say  "Halt,"  and  repeat. 
When  he  does  do  it,  say  "That  will  do."  Continue 
this  until  he  will  go  to  the  right  at  the  motion  of  your 
hand  and  the  word  "Right";  then,  making  motions 
with  your  left  hand,  and  using  the  word  "  Left,"  you 
teach  him  the  opposite.  By  these  motions,  and  an 
appeal  to  the  intelligence  of  the  dog  by  your  counte- 
nance and  eyes,  you  can  start  him  for  the  fields  in  any 
direction  you  may  choose,  and  he  soon  learns  to  do 
what  you  want  with  very  little  telling.  Following 
these  rules  will  satisfy  you  that  the  dog  can  be  taught 
indefinitely  respecting  all  things  which  pertain  to  his 
peculiar  nature. 


TRAINING   AND    HEALTH    OF   DOGS.  1 87 


THE   WATCH    DOG. 

For  a  good  watch  dog,  select  one  of  a  breed  adapted 
to  the  business.  There  is  but  little  that  you  can  teach 
such  an  one,  as  it  is  somewhat  of  a  natural  trait,  and 
any  other  than  a  natural  watch  dog,  however  much 
you  may  labor  with  him,  will  never  be  reliable.  A 
barking  dog,  one  that  will  be  noisy  on  the  approach 
of  intruders,  is  the  best.  A  dog  that  bites,  but  does 
not  bark,  is  only  fit  to  put  in  barns  or  other  outbuild- 
ings, nights,  chaining  him  up  day-times;  and  then  he 
is  dangerous  even  to  his  keeper,  as  a  sudden  start  will 
cause  him  to  bite  any  one.  To  teach  your  dog,  give 
him  something  to  watch,  saying,  "  Take  care  of  it,"  as 
you  place  him  near  the  object.  He  will  soon  learn 
the  word,  and  upon  being  directed  to  any  particular 
thing  will  faithfully  guard  it.  While  teaching  him, 
allow  no  one  but  yourself  to  approach  him  without 
setting  him  on.  You  may  have  a  stranger  approach 
him  and  tease  him,  you  urging  him  to  drive  the 
stranger  away,  and  as  soon  as  he  starts  let  the  per- 
son run,  you  calling  the  dog  back.  While  young  do 
not  compel  him  to  stay  too  long  at  one  thing,  and 
when  you  go  up  to  him  and  say  "  That  will  do,"  feed 
him  something. 

After  the  manner  spoken  of  in  the  previous  illus- 
tration, whenever  you  wish  the  dog  to  bite,  or  go  at 
any  person  or  thing,  you  will  teach  him  the  words  the 
reverse  of  what  you  mean,  such  as  *'  Be  still,"  "  Get 
out,"  "  Lie  down."  You  will  see  that  a  person  not 
understanding  the  dog  will  not  be  very  apt  to  get  near 
him,  as  he  would  naturally  make  use  of  those  words, 
and  they  would  be  setting  him  on  instead  of  quieting 


l88  HOW   TO    EDUCATE   HORSES. 

him.  To  call  him  yourself,  use  such  a  convenient 
word  as  you  choose,  but  not  one  naturally  used  by 
others.  As  this  ingenious  use  of  words  is  about  the 
only  new  idea  we  can  suggest  to  teach  watch  dogs, 
the  masters  can  use  their  own  ingenuity  to  render  it 
practical. 


THE   TRICK    DOG. 

Many  amusing  tricks  may  be  taught  which  will  ex- 
hibit in  a  wonderful  degree  the  intelligence  of  the 
dog.  As  we  have  before  said,  much  depends  upon 
the  breed.  A  dog  of  one  peculiar  breed  may  be 
taught  a  certain  class  of  tricks,  while  that  of  another 
breed  will  be  entirely  different  in  its  characteristics. 
A  well-bred  dog  is  hard  to  learn  any  tricks,  except 
those  pertaining  to  his  nature;  while  a  mongrel  cur 
is  quite  easy  to  learn  any.  Perhaps  a  spaniel  poodle 
dog  is  the  most  tractable  of  any;  a  black-and-tan  is 
quite  apt.  We  give  a  few  examples  sufficient  to  form 
a  groundwork  for  the  intelligent  operator  to  extend 
his  list  of  tricks  at  his  pleasure. 

THE    FIRST    STEP    TO    BE    TAKEN, 

When  you  are  preparing  the  dog  to  receive  his  first 
lesson,  it  is  necessary  to  place  him  where  you  can  con- 
trol him.  Procure  a  piece  of  cord  ten  feet  long,  and 
one-fourth  of  an  inch  in  diameter;  tie  a  knot  at  each 
end — one  that  will  not  slip.  Take  one  end,  place  it 
around  the  dog's  neck,  to  get  the  size;  then  tie  an- 
other knot,  and  again  place  it  around  his  neck,  slip- 
ping the  end  with  knot  through,  and  make  fast.  The 
proper  way  of  training  him  is  with  a  whip — a  small 
riding  whip.  In  giving  him  his  first  lesson,  should  he 
attempt  to  run   from  you  (as  he  undoubtedly  will), 


TRAINING   AND    HEALTH   OF   DOGS.  1 89 

give  him  a  sudden  jerk,  and  say,  "Come  here;"  as  he 
comes  back,  talk  gently,  pat  and  caress  him;  that  is 
to  show  him  he  has  done  right  in  coming  back.  A 
few  pulls  with  the  cord  and  he  will  not  attempt  to 
leave  you. 

TO    TEACH    HIM    TO    SIT    DOWN. 

Press  your  hand  upon  his  back  toward  the  hind 
legs  and  say,  "Sit  down,"  at  the  same  time  tapping 
with  your  foot  upon  the  floor.  If  he  attempts  to  lie 
down  or  draw  his  feet  under  him,  coax  him  up,  and 
teach  him  that  "sit  down"  is  what  you  are  after,  tap- 
ping him  under  the  chin  to  keep  his  head  well  up. 
He  will,  after  a  few  lessons,  sit  down  at  the  word  and 
a  tapping  of  your  foot  on  the  floor,  or  with  your 
whip,  holding  him  by  the  cord;  tap  him  lightly  on 
the  top  of  the  quarters,  saying  "Sit  down,"  each  time 
a  little  louder,  until  he  sits  down;  then  pat  him  to 
show  him  that  he  has  done  right. 

TO    MAKE    A    BOW. 

When  he  gets  handy,  and  will  sit  down  at  the  word, 
then  say  to  him,  "  Make  a  bow."  This  trick  he  will 
learn  in  a  very  short  time.  As  he  sits  down,  place 
your  right  hand  on  the  top  of  his  head  and  with  a 
quick  move  press  down,  saying  "Make  a  bow."  By 
accompan5dng  the  word  with  the  act,  quite  often, 
each  day,  for  a  few  days,  he  will  understand  the  word 
without  the  act,  and  obey  readily. 

TO    TEACH    HIM    TO    SIT    UP. 

Set  him  up  in  the  corner,  an'd  with  a  switch  hit  him 
lightly  under  the  mouth,  snapping  your  finger  and 
saying  "Sit  up."  As  he  comes  down,  put  him  back 
and  repeat  until  he  remains,  which  he  will  do  in  a  few 


IQO  HOW   TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 

minutes;  then  say  "  That  will  do,"  and  coax  him  down 
and  caress  him.  When  lie  has  learned  this  suffi- 
ciently, set  him  up  against  a  wall  and  try  the  same 
thing,  This  will  require  more  patience,  as  he  can  so 
easily  get  over  to  either  side.  When,  however,  he 
will  do  it,  then  take  him  out  in  the  centre  of  the  floor; 
this  will  take  still  longer,  but  if  followed  up,  kindly 
and  perseveringly,  he  will  learn  to  perform  the  trick 
at  the  word  and  the  snapping  of  the  finger. 

TO    STAND    UP. 

Take  some  food  in  your  hand  and  offer  it  to  him, 
holding  it  well  up,  and  say  "  Stand  up."  Repeat  this 
until  he  will  stand  up  quite  readily,  holding  out  your 
unoccupied  hand  for  him  to  support  his  fore-feet  on. 
Gradually  take  away  your  hand,  each  time  that  he 
comes  up,  saying  ''  Stand  up."  Then  take  him  by  the 
forward  feet  and  lift  him  up  quite  hard,  and  say, 
"Stand  up."  You  will  soon  get  him  so  that  when 
you  lift  him  he  will  straighten  up  and  show  signs  of 
standing;  then  make  the  effort  to  teach  him  to  stand 
up  at  the  word,  and  the  holding  out  of  your  hand. 
You  may  now  combine  tliis  with  the  last  trick,  saying 
"Sit  up,"  "Stand  up,"  "That  will  do."  These  are 
the  first  tricks  he  should  be  taught,  as  they  are  the 
foundation  for  others. 

TO    GET    INTO    A    CHAIR. 

This  is  easily  done,  taking  your  own  way  to  coax 
him  into  the  chair,  using  the  word  "chair"  whenever 
you  cause  him  to  get  into  it.  When  he  becomes 
familiar  with  the  word,  accompanied  with  a  motion 
of  the  hand  towards  a  chair,  you  may  use  other  words 
in  connection  therewith,  "Go  and  get  into  the  chair." 
After  he  will  do  this  handily  you  may  then  teach  him 


TRAINING   AND    HEALTH   OF   DOGS.  I9I 

to  put  his  paws  upon  the  back  of  tlie  chair,  by  asking 
him  to  ''Put  them  up,"  or  saying  "Up,"  assisting  him 
at  first.  When  he  will  do  it  readily  you  may  teach 
him  to  put  his  head  down  upon  his  paws,  by  placing 
it  there  and  repeating  the  word  "Down,"  of  course 
caressing  him  each  time  that  he  complies.  To  have 
him  hold  up  his  head,  tap  him  under  the  mouth,  and 
say  "  Up,"  remembering  to  say  "That  will  do,"  when 
you  are  through  the  trick.  You  may  teach  him  to 
jump  over  the  chair  by  playfully  coaxing  him  to  do 
so,  saying  "  Jump." 

TO    MAKE    HIM    GO    LAME. 

Tap  him  with  a  little  rod  upon  the  hind  foot,  say- 
ing "  Lame,"  teaching  him  to  stand  and  hold  it  up 
vi^henever  you  say  "  Lame."  Now  coax  him  along, 
and  if  he  puts  it  down  hit  him  quite  smartly  on  the 
foot,  making  him  keep  it  up  until  he  will  go  lame  at 
the  word  and  a  motion  of  the  rod.  Now  whenever 
you  send  him  to  the  chair,  as  before,  as  he  goes  to 
jump  down,  stop  him,  teaching  him  to  wait  for  tlie 
word  "  Do."  As  he  comes  down  with  his  fore-feet  on 
the  floor,  say  "Steady,"  and  teach  him  to  stop  with 
his  hind  legs  in  the  chair.     He  is  now  ready 

TO    RUN    ON    HIS    FORWARD    LEGS. 

To  teach  him  to  do  this,  take  hold  of  his  hind  legs, 
lift  them  up  and  walk  him  around  in  a  circle,  and 
place  them  in  a  chair,  saying  "Round."  Do  this 
every  time  you  perform  the  trick  of  having  him  get 
into  a  chair.  After  a  while  take  him  by  the  tail  and 
lift  him  up,  and,  switching  his  hind  legs  lightly,  walk 
him  around  in  the  same  manner,  saying  "Round,"  as 
before.  With  patience  and  perseverance  he  will  learn 
to  lift  up  his  hind  legs  at  the  motion  of  the  whip,  and 


192  HOW   TO    EDUCATE   HORSES. 

on  the  words  "Go  round,"  perform  a  circle,  walking 
on  his  forward  feet,  and  placing  his  hind  feet  in  the 
chair;  of  course  the  height  of  the  chair  must  be 
adapted  to  the  length  of  the  dog's  legs. 

TO    SIT    ON    A    STOOL. 

It  is  now  very  easy  to  teach  him  to  "  sit  down"  on 
a  low  stool.  You  may  then  teach  him  to  '*  take  a 
seat"  on  the  stool  by  leading  him  around  by  his  for- 
ward feet,  and  setting  him  on  the  stool  with  his  for- 
ward feet  held  up,  saying  "  Seat;"  you  then  have  him 
taught  to  go  on  all  fours,  to  sit  down  on  the  stool,  and 
go  on  his  hind  feet  and  take  a  seat  with  his  forward 
feet  up. 

TO    TEACH    HIM    TO    FIND    THINGS. 

Take  something  with  which  he  is  accustomed  to 
play,  and,  after  getting  him  enlivened  with  play,  call 
him  up  to  you  and  blindfold  him,  and  throw  the 
article  a  short  distance  from  you.  If  the  dog  has 
good  scent,  tell  him  you  have  ''lost;"  then  remove  the 
blindfold  and  he  will  search  and  find  it.  Repeat  this, 
throwing  it  further  each  time,  until  you  can  throw 
your  knife  or  anything  which  you  have  held  in  your 
hand,  at  a  distance,  you  looking  in  the  direction  and 
saying,  "  I  have  lost  my  knife."  He  will  search  until 
he  finds  and  brings  it  to  you.  If  the  dog  has  not 
good  scent,  teach  him  to  look  down  at  the  word 
"  find,'  and  up  at  the  word  "  up,"  doing  as  before. 

TO    TEACH    HIM    TO    CREEP. 

First  make  him  lie  down  on  all  fours;  then  get 
upon  your  knees,  take  your  dog's  fore  paws  in  your 
hands,  and  rest  the  back  of  your  hands  on  the  floor; 
draw  your  hands,  first  one  and  then  the  other,  toward 


TRAINING  AND    HEALTH   OF  DOGS.  I93 

you,  saying  "  Creep,  creep,  sir."  If  he  attempts  to 
get  up  hold  his  fore  legs  fast  to  the  floor,  saying 
"  Careful,  sir."  As  soon  as  he  stops  struggling,  begin 
again.  This  is  one  of  the  easiest  tricks  for  a  dog  to 
learn,  and  can  be  taught  him  in  a  very  short  time. 

TO    BE    A   DEAD    DOG. 

Take  your  dog  by  the  fore  shoulders;  say  to  him 
"  Be  dead,"  and  at  the  same  time  lay  him  down  on 
his  side.  He  will  at  first  struggle  to  get  up,  but  hold 
him  fast,  and  when  he  is  quiet  take  your  hands  from 
him.  Work  slowly  and  carefully.  If  he  attempts  to 
get  up  hold  his  head  to  the  floor  again.  In  a  short 
time  he  will  lie  down  upon  his  side  at  the  word 
"  dead."  When  you  wish  him  to  get  up  change  your 
voice,  and  speak  quickly,  but  not  harshly,  "  That  will 
do,  sir,"  or  "  Dinner  is  ready,'*  or  "  Beefsteak,"  or  any 
word  you  wish,  and  after  he  has  thoroughly  learned 
the  word  he  will  not- get  up  until  you  speak  it. 

TO    BALANCE    ON    THE    BACK    OF    A    CHAIR. 

Take  a  common  bar-room  -chair — one  with  wide 
arms  is  best;  coax  your  dog  into  it;  take  his  fore 
paws  and  place  them  on  the  arm  of  the  chair;  pat  and 
caress  him  as  you  proceed.  Now  get  another  chair, 
and  place  it  about  a  foot  from  the  flrst;  stand  on  the 
outside  of  the  chair,  and  coax  him  to  come  to  you. 
He  sometimes  will  jump  over  the  arm;  if  he  does, 
put  him  back  again  and  speak  out  sharply,  "Careful." 
Try  him  again.  He  will  then  probably  put  all  his 
feet  on  the  arm  of  a  chair.  If  he  does,  take  the 
second  chair  away,  and  step  in  front  of  him  as  quickly 
as  possible;  put  your  hand  under  his  chin  and  steady 
him;  giadtially  take  your  hand  away,  and   pat  and 


194  HOW   TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 

caress  him.  If  you  have  a  small  piece  of  meat  to  give 
him,  so  much  the  better;  but  never  caress  nor  feed 
him  unless  he  does  right. 


TO    TEACH    HIM    TO    WALTZ. 

First  teach  him  to  stand  up.  Then  take  a  piece  of 
meat  and  hold  it  up  above  his  head.  If  he  jumps  for 
it,  take  it  out  of  his  way,  and  give  him  a  slight  cuff  on 
the  ear.  Now  say  to  him  ''Stand  up."  If  he  obeys 
you,  give  him  a  small  piece.  Then  hold  another  piece 
near  his  nose,  and  carry  it  around  over  his  head,  saying 
''Waltz."  If  he  turns  after  it,  give  it  to  him.  Try  him 
so  for  several  times;  then  make  him  turn  two  or  three 
times  before  you  reward  him.  Work  this  way  for  a 
short  time,  and  he  will  waltz  for  you  at  the  word  with- 
out any  reward. 

We  have  now  given  a  sufficient  number  of  examples 
to  set  forth  the  important  rules  which  govern  the 
teaching  of  dogs.  By  an  observance  of  these  you 
may  teach  your  dog  to  climb  ladders,  fetch  things  to 
you,  carry  baskets,  roll  over,  lie  down,  shut  doors,  and 
an  almost  innumerable  number  of  tricks.  To  teach 
the  dog,  however,  you  must  have  perfect  control  over 
your  temper,  never  whip  severely,  and  never  get  out 
of  patience. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  DOG 

ADMINISTERING    MEDICINE. 

We  will  commence  this  essay  by  giving  directions 
how  to  administer  medicine.  If  your  dog  is  not  large, 
you  can  manage  him  by  yourself.  Invert  a  bucket 
and  sit  on  it;  set  the  dog  down  on  his  haunches,  be- 


TRAINING  AND   HEALTH   OF   DOGS.  I95 

tween  your  legs,  holding  him  with  your  knees;  tie  a 
cloth  around  his  neck;  this  falling  over  his  fore  paws 
is  pressed  against  his  ribs  by  your  knees;  his  fore  legs, 
by  this  dodge,  are  "  hors  du  combat."  With  the  finger 
and  thumb  of  one  hand  force  open  the  jaws,  elevating 
his  head  at  the  same  time  with  the  same  hand.  If  a 
bolus,  with  the  other  hand  pass  it  over  the  roots  of  his 
tongue,  and  give  it  a  sharp  poke  downward;  close  the 
mouth,  still  holding  up  the  head  till  you  see  it  swal- 
lowed. If  a  draught,  give  a  mouthful,  close  the  mouth, 
hold  up  the  head  and  stop  the  nostrils.  Repeat  this 
if  the  draught  is  too  large  to  be  taken  at  once.  If  the 
dog  is  very  large  you  must  have  an  assistant,  else  in 
his  struggles  he  will  upset  you  and  the  medicine  too. 

PHYSIC. 

In  giving  a  dog  physic,  be  sure  to  keep  him  warm 
and  dry,  especially  if  you  use  calomel  or  mercurial 
preparations.  Always  remove  him  from  his  kennel 
and  put  him  into  a  hospital  apart  from  the  rest, 
to  prevent  infection,  as  well  as  to  insure  the  poor  brute 
quietness.  Study  the  appearance  of  the  eyes,  feet, 
nose,  extremities,  pulse,  etc. 

TO    MAKE    A   BITCH    INCLINED    TO    COPULATE. 

Seven  drops  tincture  of  cantharides  twice  a  day  till 
effect  is  produced — about  six  days,  probably. 

MANGE. 

Caused  by  dirty  kennels,  neglect,  want  of  nourishing 
or  improper  food.  Cure. — One  oz.  salts,  if  dog  of 
moderate  size;  rub  every  third  day,  well  into  the  skin, 
of  the  following  mixture:  Train  oil  (tanner's  oil  will 
do),  one  quart;  spirits  turpentine,  one  large  wine  glass 
full;  sulphur  sufficient  to  make  thin  paste;  mix  well; 


196  HOW   TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 

let  it  stay  on  the  animal  two  weeks,  then  wash  well 
with  Castile  soap  and  warm  water, 

WORMS. 

Cowhage,  one-half  drachm;  tin  filings  (very  fine), 
four  drachms;  make  it  into  four  or  six  balls,  according 
to  size  of  dog;  one  daily,  and  a  few  hours  afterwards 
a  purge  of  salts  or  aloes.  Another  remedy:  Powdered 
glass,  as  much  as  will  lie  on  a  quarter  of  a  dollar, 
mixed  with  lard.  Repeat  once  or  twice,  alternate 
days;  finish  off  with  one  or  two  drachms  of  socotrine 
aloes  rolled  up  in  tissue  paper. 

TO    MAKE    A    DOG    FINE    IN    HIS    COAT. 

A  tablespoonful  of  tar  and  oatmeal;  make  bolus. 

TO    DESTROY    LICE. 

Sometimes  the  recipe  for  fleas  will  prove  efficacious, 
yet  not  always;  but  a  small  quantity  of  mercurial 
ointment,  reduced  by  adding  hog's  lard  to  it,  say  an 
equal  quantity,  rubbed  along  the  back  never  fails;  but 
the  greater  care  must  be  taken  to  keep  the  animal 
warm  and  dry. 

DISTEMPER. 

Distemper  is  caused  by  low  keep,  neglect  and  change 
of  atmosphere.  Symptoms  of  this  disease  are  as  fol- 
lows: Loss  of  spirit,  activity  and  appetite;  drowsiness, 
dullness  of  the  eyes,  lying  at  length  with  nose  to  the 
ground,  coldness  of  extremities,  legs,  ears  and  lips; 
heat  in  head  and  body,  running  at  the  nose  and  eyes, 
accompanied  by  sneezing,  emaciation,  and  weakness; 
dragging  of  hind  quarters,  flanks  drawn  in,  diarrhoea, 
and  sometimes  vomiting.  There  are  several  recipes 
for  this  the  worst  of  all  diseases.     One  is  better  than 


TRAINING  AND    HEALTH   OF   DOGS.  I97 

another,  according  to  the  various  stages.  The  first, 
if  taken  at  an  early  stage,  seldom  fails;  half  an  ounce 
of  salts  in  warm  water,  when  first  taken  ill;  thirty-six 
hours  afterwards,  ten  grains  compound  powder  of 
ipecacuanha  in  warm  water.  If  in  two  days  he  is  not 
better,  take  sixteen  grains  antimonial  powder,  made 
into  four  boluses,  one  night  and  morning  for  two 
days.  If  no  improvement  is  visible,  continue  these 
pills,  unless  diarrhoea  comes  on,  in  which  case  you 
must  use  the  ipecacuanha  day  about  with  the  pills.  If 
the  animal  is  much  weakened  by  this,  give  him  one 
teaspoonful  Huxam's  tincture  of  bark  three  times  a 
day.  James'  powder  is  almost  a  certain  remedy — 
dose,  four  grains.  In  case  of  fits  coming  on,  destroy 
the  animal.  The  same  may  be  said  of  paralysis.  If 
this  disease  is  taken  in  its  early  stages  and  attended 
to,  and  the  dog  kept  warm,  there  is  not  much  danger; 
otherwise  it  is  very  fatal. 

BILIOUS   FEVER 

Is  caused  by  want  of  exercise  and  too  high  feeding. 
Calomel,  six  or  eight  grains,  or,  in  an  obstinate  case, 
turpeth  mineral  or  yellow  mercury,  six  to  twelve 
grains  in  a  bolus. 

INFLAMMATION    OF    THE    BOWELS. 

Symptoms. — Dullness  of  appearance  and  eyes;  loss 
of  appetite;  lying  on  the  belly  with  outstretched  legs; 
pulse  much  quickened;  scratching  up  the  bed  into  a 
heap,  and  pressing  the  belly  on  it;  desire  to  swallow 
stones,  coal  or  any  cold  substance  not  voidable;  in- 
clination to  hide  away.  It  is  very  dangerous,  and  re- 
quires active  treatment.  Bleed  most  freely  until  the 
dog  faints  away;  clap  a  blister  on  the  pit  of  the  stom- 
ach.    Give  aloes  fifteen  grains,  opium  half  a  grain; 


198  now   TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 

repeat  the  dose  three  times  a  day.  Bleed  after  twelve 
hours  if  the  pulse  rises  again,  and  continue  dosing 
and  bleeding  till  either  the  dog  or  the  inflammation 
gives  in.  No  half  measures  do  in  this  case.  If  you 
get  the  upper  hand  there  is  no  trouble;  if  not,  it  is 
fatal.  Feed  low,  and  attend  carefully  to  prevent  a 
relapse. 

STAGGERS    AND    FITS. 

This  generally  happens  in  warm  weather.  Throw 
water  on  them  if  convenient;  if  not,  bleed  in  the  neck, 
if  you  have  lancets:  if  not,  slit  the  ears  with  your 
knife  (you  can  cause  them  to  adhere  together  again), 
or  run  your  knife  across  two  or  three  bars  next  the 
teeth.  Bitches  coming  off  heat  are  more  subject  to 
this  than  dogs  in  good  health. 

BLEEDING. 

You  may  readily  bleed  a  dog  in  the  jugular  vein,  by 
holding  up  his  head,  stopping  the  circulation  at  the 
base  of  the  neck.  Part  the  hair,  and  with  the  lancet 
make  an  incision,  taking  care  not  to  stick  him  too 
deeply.  If  the  animal  rejoices  in  a  heavy  coat,  it  may 
be  necessary  to  shave  away  the  hair.  From  one  to 
eight  ounces  are  the  quantities;  use  your  own  judg- 
ment. 

CANKER    IN    THE    EAR. 

Wash  well  with  soap  and  warm  water;  fill  the  ear 
with  finely  powdered  charcoal  or  powdered  borax. 
Clean  out  daily  with  sponge  on  stick  and  warm  water, 
and  repeat  the  dusting  till  it  heals.  Another  remedy: 
Oak  bark,  one  pound  chopped  fine  and  well  boiled  in 
soft  water.  When  cold  take  of  the  decoction  of  bark, 
four  ounces;  sugar  of  lead,  half  a  drachm,  put  a  tea- 


TRAINING  AND   HEALTH   OF  DOGS.  1 99 

spoonful  into  the  ear,  night  and  morning,  rubbing  the 
root  of  the  ear  well  to  cause  it  to  get  well  into  the 
cavities      This  is  one  of  the  best  recipes  in  this  book. 

EXTERNAL    CANKER    OF    THE    EAR. 

Butter  of  antimony,  diluted  in  milk  to  the  thickness 
of  cream,  will  cure  it;  or  red  precipitate,  half  an  ounce 
with  two  ounces  of  hog's  lard,  mixed  well. 

FOR    A    STRAIN. 

Use  Bertine's  liniment,  or  one  ounce  of  turpentine, 
half  pint  old  beer,  half  pint  brine,  bathe  the  part  and 
repeat,  or  sal  ammonia  one  ounce,  vinegar  one  pint. 

BRUISES    OR    STRAINS    OF    LONG    STANDING. 

Gall  and  opodeldoc  are  excellent;  shaved  cam- 
phor, two  ounces;  spirits  of  wine,  three  quarters  of  a 
pint;  shake  well,  and  cork  close,  placing  it  near  the 
fire  untilthe  camphor  dissolves;  then  add  a  bullock's 
gall,  shake  well  together;  apply,  rubbing  it  well  into 
the  part  affected  until  it  lathers. 

DOG    POISONED. 

Give  a  teacupful  of  castor  oil;  after  he  has  vomited 
well,  continue  to  pour  olive  oil  down  his  throat  and 
rub  his  belly. 

FLEAS. 

Scotch  snuff,  steeped  in  gin,  is  infallible;  but  must 
be  used  with  great  care,  and  not  above  a  teaspoonful 
of  snuff  to  a  pint  of  gin — as  the  cure,  if  overdone,  is  a 
deadly  poison. 

TORN   EARS. 

Laudanum  and  brandy,  equal  parts;  mix  well,  and 
apply  alternately  with  sweet  oil. 


200  HOW   TO   EDUCATE   HORSES. 


SWELLED    TEATS. 

Make  pomade  of  camphorated  spirit  of  brandy,  and 
goose  grease;  apply  two  to  three  times  daily. 

TO    EXTRACT    THORNS. 

Cobbler's  wax  bound  on  to  the  place,  or  black  pitch 
plaster,  or  a  poultice,  are  equally  good. 

FILMS    OVER    THE    EYES. 

Blue-Stone  or  lunar  caustic,  eight  grains;  spring 
water,  one  ounce.  Wash  the  eyes  with  it,  letting  a 
little  pass  in.  Repeat  this  daily,  and  you  will  soon 
cure  it. 

FILMS    CAUSED    BY    THORN    WOUNDS. 

Rest  the  dog  till  perfectly  headed  over,  washing  with 
rose  water.  H  much  inflammation,  bleed  and  foment 
with  hot  water,  with  a  few  drops  of  laudanum  in  it — 
about  forty  drops  of  laudanum  to  one  ounce  of  water, 
or  two  grains  of  opium  to  one  ounce  of  water — one  as 
good  as  the  other.  Then  apply  four  or  five  times  the 
following  wash:  Super-acetate  of  lead,  half  drachm; 
rose  water,  six  ounces. 

STRIPPING     FEET. 

Wash  in  bran  and  warm  water  with  a  little  vinegar; 
afterward  apply  tincture  of  myrrh.  Apply  sweet  oil 
before  he  goes  out.  If  his  feet  are  sore  wash  in  but- 
termilk until  better;  then  apply  brine  and  vinegar, 
equal  parts. 

WOUNDS. 

Poultice  for  a  day  or  two  ;  then  apply  Friar's  balsam, 
covering  up  the  place. 


TRAINING  AND   HEALTH   OF  DOGS.  20I 

FOR    A    GREEN    WOUND. 

Hog's  lard,  turpentine  and  beeswax,  equal  parts; 
verdigris,  one-fourth  part.  Simmer  over- a  slow  fire 
till  they  are  well  mixed,  and  apply. 

TO    REDUCE    THE    TIME   A    BITCH    IS   IN    HEAT. 

Give  her  a  little  nitre  in  water,  and  a  dose  of  calo- 
mel, four  grains  or  thereabouts,  followed  by  salts  or 
aloes. 

PURGATIVE    MEDICINES. 

Salts,  one  ounce;  calomel,  five  grains;  or  socotrine 
aloes,  two  drachms — for  a  moderate  sized  dog. 


INDEX. 


PAGE 

Ages  of  horses 119 

Diseases  and  remedies 135 

Appetite,  to  restore 166 

Asthma 156 

Bladder,  inflammation  of 146 

Blistering  liniment 169 

Blood,  to  stop 160 

Bog  spavin 152 

Bone  spavin 159 

Bowels,  stoppage  of 167 

Breathing,  the 136 

Broken  wind 156 

Button  farcy 163 

Capillaries 141 

Cleansing  powder 161 

Colic 161 

Colic,  spasmodic 143 

Corns 172 

Cough 164 

Curb 151 

Cuts 155 

Diarrhoea 153 

Directions 140 

Distemper 158 

Dropsy  of  muscles  of  chest 162 

Dung,  the 137 

Ears,  the 136 

Enliven  an  old  horse,  to 161 

Eyes,  the 136 

Eye  wash 160 

Farcy 168 

Fatten  old  horses,  to i6t 

Feeding  and  fitting  trotters 175 

Feet,  the 137 

Feet,  packing  the  173 

Fistula 148 

Fits 171 

Founder 157 

Galls 155 

Grease 165 


PAGE 

Diseases  and  remedies— Continued. 

Grease  heel 162 

Hair,  to  grow 155 

Hair,  the 137 

Heaves 156,  172 

Inflammation 146 

Inflammation  of  the  bladder  . . .  146 

Inflammation  of  the  bowels 144 

Inflammation  of  the  kidneys 146 

Itch  156 

Jaundice 172 

Kidneys,  inflammation  of 146 

Lampas 142 

Lice 156 

Liniment 172 

Liniment,  blistering 169 

Lock-jaw 152 

Lotion  for  mange 170 

Lung  fever 171 

Lying  down 138 

Mange 156 

Mange,  lotion  for 170 

Medicated  food 170 

Mercurial  ointment 167 

Mouth,  the 136 

Nose,  membrane  of 136 

Ointment,  mercurial 167 

Old  horse,  to  brighten  up 162 

Old  sores 160 

Operations 173 

Packing  the  feet 173 

Physicking, 163 

Pleurisy 169 

Pointing  with  the  nose 139 

Poll  evil 148 

Poultices 168 

Pulse,  the 135 

Remedies  and  directions  140 

Ringbone 159 

Salve  for  man  or  beast 167 


INDEX. 


203 


PAGE 

Diseases  and  remedies— Coniimieii. 

Scours 165 

Scratches 162 

Shoulder  lameness 149 

Signs  of  disease 135 

Skin,  the 137 

Sore  mouth 142 

Sore  throat 158 

Sores 155 

Spasmodic  colic 143 

Splint 150 

Standing  still 138 

Stifle 167 

Stocked  or  swollen  legs.  .....  164 

Strains  and  swellings. 170-171 

Tetanus 152 

Thrush 160 

Tonics 167 

Trade  a  heavey  horse,  to 161 

Trotters,  feeding  and  fitting.. . .  175 

Uneven  teeth 142 

Water,  the 138 

Watering  and  feeding 174 

Wind,  broken 156 

Wolf  teeth 143 

Worms 145 

Dogs: 

Diseases  and  Remedies 183 

Administering  medicine 194 

Bilious  fever 197 

Bleeding 198 

Canker  in  the  ear 198 

Congress,  to  induce 195 

Distemper 1 96 

External  canker 199 

Films  over  the  eyes 200 

Fine  coat,  to  make 196 

Fleas 199 

Green  wounds 201 

Heat,  to  reduce  time  in 201 

Inflammation  of  the  bowels. .   197 

Lice,  to  destroy 196 

Mange 195 

Old  bruises  or  strains 199 

Physic 195 

Poisoned 199 

Purgative  medicines 201 

Staggers  and  fits 198 

Strains 199 

Stripping  feet. 200 


PAGE 

Dogs — Continued. 

Teats,  swelled  200 

Thorns,  to  extract 200 

Thorn  wounds 200 

Torn  ears 190 

Worms 196 

Wounds 200 

Shepherd  dog,  teaching 183 

Trick  dog,  the 188 

To  balance  on  chair-back 193 

To  be  a  dead  dog 193 

To  creep 192 

To  find  things 192 

To  get  into  a  chair 199 

To  go  lame 191 

To  make  a  bow 189 

To  run  on  forward  legs 191 

To  sit  down  189 

To  sit  up 189 

To  sit  on  a  stool ,  .  192 

To  stand  up 190 

To  waltz 194 

Watch  dog,  the 187 

Education  and  training 71 

Accustom  to  umbrella,  to 82 

Balky  horse,  to  start 89 

Balky  horses 105 

Biters 107 

Bitting  the  colt 103 

Bonaparte  bridle 81 

Breaking  and  training  colts 73 

Characteristics  of  horses  72 

Check-rein,  abuse  of 99 

Colt,  how  to  mount  a... 93 

Double  safety  rope. 79 

Driving  the  colt 105 

Eureka  bridle ' 78 

Familiarizing  to  objects  . . .   102,  104 

First  lesson,  colt-driving 77 

General  hints 108 

Giving  medicine 96 

Gleason's  surcingle 80 

Harnessing  colt 76 

Honesty  and  kindness 102 

"  Horse  tamers" 92 

Jumping  fences,  to  prevent  ...  83 

Kicking  in  stable,  to  prevent. . .  89 

Knee-pads 81 

Medicine,  giving 96 

Methods  given  to  public 100 


204 


INDEX. 


PAGE 

Education  and  training — Continued. 

Nature  of  the  horse loi 

Passive  treatment 98 

Pawing  in  stall,  to  prevent 88 

Pullers  and  luggers 90 

Putting  out  tongue 107 

Riding  bridle  for  kickers 98 

Runaviray  horse,  to  stop 89 

Shoeing  kicking  horse 85 

Simple  riding  bridle  97 

Standing  quietly 95 

Starting  a  horse 95 

Tail-switching,  remedy 84 

Taking  up  front  feet 94 

Talk  to  your  horses 93 

Teaching  colt  to  back 103 

Throwing  and  subduing 87 

Training  enclosure 74 

Training,  hints  on loi 

Training  to  harness  103 

Treatment,  passive 98 

Use  intelligent  means 102 

Whip,  use  of 92 

"Whoa!" 91 

Gleason,  life  of 9 

Begins  lecturing 17 

Birth  and  early  life 14 

Chester  Evening  News 42 

Childs,  Geo.  W 26 

Cody,  William  F 45 

Coup,  W.  C 38,52 

Early  Western  life 15,16 

Eureka  bridle 28 

Experiences  : 

Boston 56 

Boston  Herald 59 

Brooklyn 40 

Buffalo 49 

Canada 53 

Chicago 47 

Chicago  Horseman 47 

Chicago  Tridune 48 

Colorado 40 

Connecticut  19,  30,  56 

Delaware 28,  42 

Driving  Rysdyk 68 

Georgia 37 

Illinois 40 

Iowa 40 

Kentucky 38 


PAGB 

Gleason— Continued. 
Experiences: 

Little  York,  dinner  at 32 

Long  Island 40 

Maryland 34,  41 

Massachusetts 20,  56 

Minnesota 40 

New  Jersey 22, 28,  29,  30,  41 

New  York  State... 20,  29,  39,  45,  53 
55- 

New  York  City 67 

North  Carolina 35 

Ohio 39 

Pennsylvania 22,  25,  30,  39,  42 

Philadelphia 25 

South  Carolina 36 

Tennessee 38 

Vermont 17 

Virginia 35,41 

Wisconsin 40 

Father  and  mother 9-13 

First  tall  hat 24 

Manager  of  a  stock  farm 49 

"  Resolute'' 25-27 

Return  to  lecturing 52 

Richardson,  Geo.  P 58 

Rockwell,  A.  H.  ...17,  18,  22,  23,  24 

Second  lecturing  tour.   20 

Steiner,  T.  A 44,  45 

Tarbell,  John  S 22 

Topsy,  his  mare 18 

Wilder,  Prof.  D 18 

Williams,  Prof.  C.  H.  C 17,  65 

Harness,  to  clean  and  oil 176 

Ladies'  equestrianism 177 

Breaking  a  lady's  saddle  horse.  178 

Dismounting  a  lady  182 

Helping  a  lady  mount 180 

Horses  for  ladies'  riding 178 

Riding-gear  for  ladies 177 

Use  of  the  crutches 181 

Scientific  horseshoeing 123 

Bars  of  foot  not  to  be  destroyed.  115 
Blacksmiths  should  pass  an  ex- 
amination    128 

Contracted  hoofs 130 

Corns  on  horses 129 

Don't  file  the  crust 125 

Don't  rasp  outside 125 

Foot  to  be  cut  level 124 


INDEX. 


205 


PAGE 

Scientific  horseshoeing — Continued. 

Frog,  its  functions 126 

Frog  must  be  even  with  bottom 

of  shoe 124 

Horses  and  mules  in  U.  S 128 

Hose  not  to  be  used  when  legs 

are  warm 132 

Ignoramuses  shoeing 128 

Mischief  from  bad  shoeing 129 

Nails 131 

Overreaching 130 

Quacks 131 

Quarter-cracks 131 

Shoe  to  be  put  on  cold 127 

Shoe  to  fit  foot,  not  foot  to  fit 

shoe 127 


PAGE 

Scientific  horseshoeing — Contimied. 

Shoes  not  to  remain  on  too  long  129 

Thrush 132 

Toe-crack  132 

True  way 134 

Usual  wrong  way  123 

Weight  of  shoes 127 

Teaching  horses  tricks in 

General  remarks i  t  i 

To  come  at  a  signal 112 

To  kiss  you 116 

To  lie  down 114 

To  make  a  bow 113 

To  say  no 114 

To  shake  hands 117 

To  sit  up 115 


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